THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE IS CREDITED TO www.gamecocksonline.com
COLUMBIA, S.C. - University of South Carolina freshman center Kelsey Bone (Houston, Texas/ Dulles) was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, the league office announced today. Bone helped the Gamecocks to a 2-1 record in the first week of her collegiate career scoring 21.3 points per game to go with 11.0 rebounds per outing.

Bone kicked off her collegiate career with a double-double (22 pts/11 rebs) at Charlotte, the first Gamecock freshman to open with a double-double since Demetress Adams accomplished the feat against High Point on Nov. 18, 2005 (11 pts/12 reb). Three nights later at Clemson, Bone became the first Gamecock freshman to post consecutive double-doubles in her first two games as she poured in 32 points and snagged 14 rebounds in the double-overtime loss to the Tigers. Her 32 points were the third-most by a Gamecock freshman in program history, and her 14 rebounds matched the second-most by a first-year Gamecock. Bone narrowly missed her third-straight double-double with 10 points and eight boards in the home opener against Penn State on Sunday.

The Gamecocks play their next three games at the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., beginning with a Thanksgiving day tilt against No. 20/16 Oklahoma. South Carolina takes on No. 5/6 Notre Dame on Fri., Nov. 27, and closes the tournament against San Diego State on Sat., Nov. 28. All three games can be watched on the internet via FOX College Sports Broadband Network. See GamecocksOnline.com for the link.

MEET THE TEAMS!
DALLAS BISHOP LYNCH
Bishop Lynch Lady Friars are the National record holders for State Championships at 26. They have won 8 in a row and one time 12 in a row, also a National record.The Lady Friars play a very difficult schedule playing the top UIL 4A and 5A schools in the State and beat powerhouse Duncanville last year.This year they have already defeated UIL 5A State Champion and Pre-season #1 Mansfield Summit in a Fall League Shootout winning the Premier Basketball Shootout Tournament in Frisco earlier this year.The Lady Friars return 4 players from last years State Champion. Senior, Alexa Hardick leads the way as the Captain and last years scoring and assist leader for the Lady Friars and the North Texas area leading 3 Point scorer with 131. Alexa is also a McDonalds All American nominee.  Also returning are Senior forward Gretchen Gerken and senior guard Ashlee Nester also a dangerous 3 point threat.Rounding the returning starters is Junior Point Guard Alex Green, who was All State last year along with Alexa. Alex is being recruited by many D 1 schools as her athleticism and speed and quickness are invaluable.The rest of the lady friars are newcomers Junior 6'4" Blair Bryce will contribute greatly and Sophomore Danyel Bradley another quick shooting guard.Rounding out the team are Junior posts Annie Bourne and Alexa Rowan, and Freshman Leah Wildman and Kirsten Steger.Coach Andy Zihlman is in his 30th year as the Lady Friars Head coach and was named WBCA National Coach of the Year in 2008.His assistant Delaine Taylor has been with him for the past 13 years and played collegiately at University of North Texas. 

WESTBURY CHRISTIAN
Don’t underestimate that Lady Wildcat tradition!  After the dream season that the team enjoyed last year, the question could be asked, “How do you duplicate that success with this year’s team?”  The answer may lie in the Senior leadership that the 2009-10 squad will enjoy.Despite losing five outstanding seniors including three all-state performers and two all-district guards, the current team will have 7 returning letter-winners with valuable championship experience while adding 5 new teammates through transfer and call ups from the JV team.  “The key for us this season will be the leadership of our nine seniors”, says Coach Reed Sutton. “They will be relied upon to understand their roles, play team basketball, and make the necessary sacrifices to be the best practice team in the country.  If we are the hardest working team in practices, we should be one of the most poised teams in the country that can play any style of team and have a chance to compete.”The strengths of the team on the floor start with their speed and their ability to shoot the ball well.  They will have a guard dominated team that likes to run, press, and set up their teammates for open perimeter shots.  Senior sharpshooter Leticia Cuellar headlines this year’s team with her incredible marksmanship from behind the arc. Tyranni Henderson, Cami Olson, and Danielle Mapps are all Senior wings that can fill it up from long range.  Tyranni and Danielle are newcomers to the program.  Cami was the “6^th person” on last year’s championship team.  Jessica Webster is a Senior point guard who the team will rely upon to handle the ball and provide opportunities for teammates while giving the team a defensive presence with leadership in their pressing defense. Courtney Eagleton and Dominique Springfield are both two time letter winners for the Lady Cats and are entering their senior year.  Dominique is a good athlete that plays smart and very hard.  Courtney is the kind of player that you can’t win without.  She is our heart and soul and we rely on her for effort, leadership, and spiritual direction.  Two Seniors are coming up ready-to-go from the JV squad last year.  They are Gina Rosolino and Ashlee Thomas.  Gina brings a nice shooting touch and a commitment to rebounding that we need this year.  Ashlee is a physical player that defends well in the post and plays confidently.”The Junior class is short on numbers, but not short on talent.  Returning starter Amber Orrange led the team in several statistical categories last year and is a very complete guard.  She averaged 14 points per game, 6 assists, and 5 steals last year and was a first-team TAPPS All-State player.  Amber had 18 points, including 16 in the first half, in the 2009 State Championship game.  She is currently ranked by ESPN as a top-50 guard in the country in the Junior Class.  “Amber is a special talent”, says Coach Sutton, “She personifies the very ideal of a Westbury Christian basketball player.  She is a solid person who has a personal relationship with God, she is an outstanding student near the top of her class, and she is a self starter who is committed to constantly improving her game and challenging her skills to be better.  She is a coach’s dream.”  Also in the Junior class is a call up from the JV team, Ayramis Glenn.  Ayramis is a 5’10” all-purpose player who can score, rebound, and has the ability to be a great defensive player. Rounding out the roster is Sophomore transfer Jamiyla DeBoise.  Jamilya is a 5’11” athletic post player that can play inside and out.  So, Coach Sutton, how do you duplicate last year’s Championship season?  “We don’t have to duplicate last year’s season.  This team is completely different but equally as lethal.  We need to focus on doing what we will do well this year and not what was done well last year.  We have a much more challenging schedule locally, state-wide, and nationally and we are grateful that past teams have put us in that position.  This year we will need to trust each other and come ready to work every day so that we can meet the challenges that we have in front of us.  It is a privilege to be a part of Lady Wildcat basketball.”
 
CONCORDIA LUTHERANThe Concordia Lutheran Lady Crusaders will look to continue the success they have built the last two seasons in the 2009-2010 season. The team’s leading scorer for the past 2 seasons, junior Taylor Schippers, looks to continue her scoring and floor leadership. Seniors Allie Brandenburg and Stephanie return as starters and will bring the defensive intensity for the Lady Crusaders. Senior Lauren Frankino will be added to the starting lineup this year, as will senior transfer Madison Mckinstrey, both of whom have a great mind for the game and bring a tremendous amount of heart and toughness to the starting lineup. Senior Allie Klein, junior Paola Puente, and sophomore Katie Reilly will bring athleticism and depth to the Lady Crusaders this season, something that hurt them last year.

HOUSTON CHRISTIAN
The Houston Christian High School women's basketball team is looking to take the "next step" has it prepares for the 2009-10 season.  The next step is advancing in the post-season State Tournament after completing last season with a 28-8 record and a second place finish in District 3-5A but suffering a first round loss in the TAPPS 5A playoffs to Dallas Ursuline.  The team will have to do it without leading scorer and rebounder and All-State performer Sharilyn Reed who is off competing for Panola College in hopes of landing at a Division 1 school next year.

The senior trio of Amanda Walter (All-District first team), Lindsay Quandt (2nd team All-District), and Jamie Ferguson will be joined by senior transfer (Coppell) Lauren Hall to provide much-needed experience.  A great blend of youth will be led by juniors Danielle Milton (2nd team All-District), Priya Chacko, and Sarah Ott.  Sophomores Shique Singleton, Kaitlyn Hirschbuehler, and Morgann Davis round out the squad.  Chacko, Ott, Hirschbuehler, and Davis will move up from the District championship junior varsity team that finished 21-2 last year.  Singleton was a part-time varsity starter last year as a freshman. 

HCYA"The 2009-2010 HCYA Lady Warriors return 6 letter winners from last season's 33-10 squad, who finished 2nd in the 2009 Texas State Homeschool Basketball Championships, Champion of the 2009 National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championship (NCHBC) Region II Qualifier, and as the 2nd in the 2009 NCHBC National Championship Final at Missouri State Univ. in Springfield, MO. The Lady Warriors will be back in 2009 to defend their 2nd tournament title in the last 3 years at the prestigious Taco Bell Holiday Classic in Willis, TX. The Lady Warriors return 3 starters for their senior campaign, Sarah McLeod, Shea Hester, and Kristen Huff. McLeod and Hester return as NCHBC 2nd Team All Americans and Huff as a 3rd Team All American. McLeod, who is a deadly 3 pt shooter, returns after averaging 11.9 ppg as a junior, including 4 - 20+ pt games. At 5'10", Hester brings versatility on both ends of the floor as she can play either point or post. Huff returns for her senior year after scoring 220 pts as a junior, including a season high of 16 vs. The Woodlands. Big contributions are also expected from 2-time NCHBC 16U 6A MVP Sarah Postma and senior post Allison Chung.
 
Moving up from his 2009 NCHBC 16U 6A National Champion squad will be JV Coach Jerry Collins as he takes over the reins of the Lady Warrior program from retiring coach Terry D. Hester. While undersized against most opponents, Coach Collin's Warriors will be back for the 2009-2010 campaign with tenacious defense and up-tempo play in search for their 7th straight NCHBC Final Four where they will again be considered a serious contender for the 2010 NCHBC national championship." 

ST. AGNES ACADEMYSt Agnes is coming off a 22-13 overall record, 10-0 in District play. The Tigers  return 7 players off last years team  which include 4 starters, all of whom bring a considerable amount of playing experience at their respective positions.Key players are Sr guards Chelsea Bass and Lauren Kleczynski both are beginning their 4th year on varsity.  Plus, Junior guards Jill Jackson and Kellie Pressler and Sophomore guard Raquel Carvajal and sophomore center Amber Cooper.