The White House High School girls basketball program returns four starters from last season and welcomes back another weapon after a year’s absence.
That leaves the Lady Devils optimistic as they enter the upcoming season.
“I have great girls,” White House head coach Jeff Bennett said. “They are really good kids, and there’s a few fighters in there.”
Leading the list of returnees is senior point guard Alyssa Armstrong, a three-year starter. She’ll be joined in the starting backcourt by classmate Lauren Felts, an all-district and an all-county selection last season.
White House High senior guard Lauren Felts was an all-district and all-county selection last season.
“They’re two with a lot of experience,” Bennett said.
Junior forward Hailee Ellis and junior post player Stephanie Palmer also started for much of last season, and classmate Bailey Hutchinson – also a post player – is back on the court after missing last season due to a knee injury. Hutchison also missed much of her freshman campaign due to a torn muscle in her leg.
“She has worked her butt off to get herself ready to go,” Bennett said. “After ACL (anterior-cruciate ligament) surgery, she still has the best vertical (jump) on the team. She’s a strong kid and a really good athlete.”
Sophomore McKenzie Vaughn – who is like Ellis in that she can play on the perimeter or in the post area – could also be among the starting five.
“She’s so athletic,” Bennett said. “She’s fast. She jumps well. She has a chance to be a really good player.”
Junior guard Bryanna Allen is expected to come off of the bench and be one of the team’s top three-point shooters.
“I feel like we are getting better,” Bennett said. “We’ve worked hard in the offseason.”
However, lack of size is a concern. The 5-foot-7 Armstrong is the team’s tallest player.
“With our lack of size, it’s defending people in the post,” Bennett said of his biggest concern. “We have to do a great job of blocking out and scoring in transition.
“I’d love to run and play more aggressive defensively, but that’s not easy. We have to give great effort, and it has to be every night. We can’t let up. We have to work too hard to score.”
Bennett expects the district’s top teams from last season to be at the top once again.
“Our district is tough,” Bennett said. “Westmoreland is great every year. Sycamore is strong. White House Heritage has great kids. It’s everybody. We just have to play tough.”
White House lost its final 18 games last season, finishing with a 1-21 record. The Lady Devils lost three seniors – starting guard Jordan Nixon, guard Baileah Kell and center Michaela Willbanks.
White House is hoping to advance to the regional tournament for the first time since the 2007-08 season.
“That is definitely our goal, to get to the region,” Bennett said. “We haven’t been to the region in a number of years. It’s been a while. It would be a great goal to attain.”
The Lady Devils play a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Champions game at Maplewood on Thursday.
White House begins regular-season play by hosting East Robertson and Gallatin on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24, respectively. The Lady Devils open district play with a game at cross-town rival White House Heritage on Dec. 8.
Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.