Prep hoops: Girls capsules

Grady’s Heather Blackburn tries to drive past Farwell’s Salida Edwards during a game earlier this month in Farwell. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth)

Clovis Christian Lady Eagles

District 4-1A

Coach: Max Kralicek (3rd year)

2004-05 record: 12-14

Returning starters: Mollie Peterson, 5-3 PG, Sr.; Sam Barnett, 5-8 F/P, Sr.; Tasha Daale, 5-9 F, Sr.; Tiffani Medeiros, 5-10 P, Sr.; Sidnee Pool, 5-3 G, Jr..

Top newcomers: Jennifer Schaap, 5-11 P, Fr.; Jocelyn Swann, 5-4 G, 8th; Kirstyn Turnbough, 5-4 G, 8th.

Last time in postseason: CCS is looking for its first NMAA postseason trip.

Quotable: “We’re trying to learn how to be a competitive team. We learned a lot last year, and hopefully we can build on that.” — Kralicek

Fort Sumner Vixens

District 3-1A

Coach: Brian Fortner (3rd year)

2004-05 record: 30-1

Returning starters: Lindsay Mansell, 5-9 F/P, Sr.

Top newcomers: Laurel Herrera, 5-6 G, Jr.; Julie Wood, 5-7 P, Sr.; Alex Owens, 5-8 F/G, Jr.; Amber Sena, 5-4 PG, Sr.; DeLane Luce, 5-6 F, Jr.

Last time in postseason: 2005, won Class 1A state title with 46-42 win over Des Moines.

Quotable: “We have some good young girls coming up. … I think we have as good a shot as anybody (in 1A). I don’t think there’ll be any dominant teams like there have been the last couple of years.” — Fortner

Grady Lady Bronchos

District 4-1A

Coach: Alicia Rush (8th year)

2004-05 record: 23-8

Returning starters: Aerial Verble, 5-6 G, Jr.; Heather Blackburn, 5-6 G, senior. Blackburn started in 2003-04, but missed last season with a knee injury.

Top newcomers: Jennifer Franklin, 5-7 P, Jr.; Alora Pond, 5-5 So., P/F; Kat Grau, 5-6 G, So.; Joli Lindsey, 5-6 G, Fr.; Payton Provencio, 5-7 P, Fr.; Amy Szaloy, 5-7 P, Fr.

Last time in postseason: 2005, lost to Fort Sumner 54-38 in the Class 1A state semifinals.

Quotable: “I think we’re going to be fine. We’re not going to beat people with our size, but I definitely think we’ve got a lot of potential.” — Rush, whose team graduated four seniors from last year’s squad

Melrose Lady Buffaloes

District 3-1A

Coach: Jason Lee (2nd year)

2004-05 record: 13-16

Returning starters: Schuyler Cochran, 5-9 P, Sr.; Zanessa Dodd, 5-7 G, Jr.

Top newcomers: Lauren Widner, 5-4 G, Jr.; Jamie Dickerman, 5-6 P, Jr.; Taneil Roberts, 5-7 G, So.

Last time in postseason: 2005, lost to eventual Class 1A state runnerup Des Moines 75-58 in the regional semifinals.

Quotable: “We’re a blue-collar team. We’ll get after you on defense. We know our offense might not be there every night, so we work extra hard on the defensive end.” — Lee

Texico Lady Wolverines

District 6-2A

Coach: Keith Durham (1st year)

2004-05 record: 20-8

Returning starters: Stephanie Bailey, 5-10 G, Sr.; Lori Richardson 5-11 P, Sr.; Faith Martin, 5-9 G, So.

Last time in postseason: 2005, lost to Hope Christian 56-37 in Class 2A regional semifinals.

Quotable: “It may not be pretty until January, but once January rolls around we’ll start looking a lot better.” — Durham, on his team adjusting to a new head coach

Bovina Fillies

District 4-1A

Coach: Tony Epps (3rd year)

2004-05 record: 12-9

Returning starters: Dorothy Martinez, 5-4 P, Sr.; Irma Rocha, 5-6 G, Sr.; Jessica Bachicha, 5-6 P/G, Jr.

Last time in postseason: The Fillies haven’t advanced out of district play since the 1980s, Epps said.

Quotable: “I’m hoping we can get to go to the playoffs. We were one game away from going last year. Once you can get there, I think it becomes a little easier the next year.” — Epps

Farwell Lady Blue

District 4-1A

Coach: Doug Boys (4th year)

2004-05 record: 15-17.

Returning starters: Britton Barrett, 5-10 P, Jr.; Salida Edwards, 5-3 G, Jr.; Bea Garcia, 5-7 G, Sr.; Dellani Jones, 5-6 P/F, Jr.; Amanda Martin, 5-4 PG, Jr. Jones and Martin were part-time starters in 2004-05.

Top newcomers: Shelby Christian, 5-8 P/F, So.

Last time in postseason: 2005, the Lady Blue lost to New Deal in regional semifinals.

Quotable: “If the girls buy into what we want to do and they stay together, I think we can be successful. We should contend for the district title.” — Boyd

Muleshoe Lady Mules

District 2-3A

Coach: Shana Simms (7th year)

2004-05 record: 25-9

Returning starters: Brandi Wood, 5-9 F, Sr.; Kasey Wood, 5-4 G, Jr.

Top newcomers: Kyra Kimbrough, 5-7 PG, Jr.; Chelsi Hawkins, 5-3 PG, Jr.; Ashley Dickson, 5-6 P, Sr.; Kate Lepard, 5-6 P, Jr. Hawkins tore an ACL over the summer, and Simms hopes to have her back by Christmas.

Last time in postseason: 2005, lost for the second year in a row in the regional finals to two-time Class 3A state champion Canyon 74-39.

Quotable: “We’re definitely at a size disadvantage. We’re trying to work some younger kids in, but I think once we figure out our (roles) and come together, we’re going to be OK.” — Simms

— Compiled by CNJ staff writers Dave Wagner and Jesse Wolfersberger