sticky Posted November 6, 2006 Report Posted November 6, 2006 Veteran BH team ready for jump to Class 4A By Michael Pineda Baytown Sun Published November 5, 2006 The Barbers Hill girls basketball team will look to follow the example set by the teams in fall sports and make an immediate impact in District 21-4A. The Lady Eagles are coming off a season in which they advanced to the Class 3A regional quarterfinals under first-year head coach John Chancellor. With an extra year in Chancellor’s system and four starters returning Barbers Hill expects to be in the mix in district this season despite moving up in classification. Just like last season the Lady Eagles will once again boast a deep team with four seniors to provide leadership in their inaugural 4A season. The 2006-2007 campaign will kick off Tuesday when Barbers Hill host St. Agnes. “It’s been nice with the four seniors taking a leadership role,†Chancellor said. “They have stepped up in a teaching role as well. Although we have six returning lettermen we also have five new faces. We’ve had to teach a lot because this is a new team. “Having four starters returning will make it an easier transition but we are in a tough district where on any given night anyone is capable of winning.†The Lady Eagles will be led by senior Samantha Hardin at the point guard. Hardin was the district MVP last season and is one of the preseason favorites for the honor in 21-4A. “Samantha is versatile,†Chancellor said, “she can play several positions and she has matured and is ready to take over the point guard. “Last year I thought she was one of the best players in the area by far. I think moving to 4A will help her and the other seniors. They have not gotten the recognition they deserve in the city of Houston.†Seniors Traci Sandel and Kassi Sylvia will join Hardin in the starting lineup. Both Sandel and Sylvia are returning starters who will once again be called upon to control the paint area for Barbers Hill. “Last year Sylvia had moments where she would score 18 points and then follow with four points,†Chancellor said. “In the preseason she has looked great. She is really starting to gain confidence in what she is doing and gets every ounce of ability out of her body. Sylvia will be the main threat for Barbers Hill at the five spot and will be complemented by Sandel at the four spot. Sandel is often called upon to do the dirty work for the Lady Eagles. “Everybody underestimates Traci,†Chancellor said. “But in the end she comes back to beat you. She gets all of the hustle points for us.†Joining the three seniors in the lineup will be junior Keely Rivera who up until Saturday was a starting member of the volleyball team. The Lady Eagles will look to take advantage of the Rivera’s athleticism. “She is quick, aggressive and jumps well,†Chancellor said. “Watching her dominate on the volleyball court makes me want to see her playing basketball. If her shooting comes around she can be a great player in this league. She is also a great defender.†Although senior Sarah Daniels will not be in the starting lineup her experience and ability will make her one of the most important pieces in the program. Daniels will come off the bench and see time at point guard for the Lady Eagles this season. “She is the heart and soul of this program,†Chancellor said. “She outworks, outruns and out hustles everyone. She leads by perfect example. She is the greatest change of pace player coming off of the bench that I have ever coached.†The remaining spot in the starting lineup as well as the playing rotation will be assumed by a collection of six underclassmen. Juniors Candace Lewis, Lauren Sadler, Shannon Mudd, Krystine Miller as well as sophomore Erica Carter and freshman Paris Carter will all be in the mix. Last year the Lady Eagles went as deep as nine or ten and this year will be no different. “If you think we had depth last year just wait,†Chancellor said. “Depth will be out biggest attribute. I feel comfortable playing a lot of people this year. We should be very exciting. “These six girls provide a lot of experience, speed and aggressiveness. Potentially there are one or two starters in this group. We expect significant contributions from them, they could generate a lot of our offense.†Barbers Hill began preparation for the jump to 4A last season with a non-district schedule comprised of upper class schools. The Hill hopes that is to their benefit this season.
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