Scott Central girls preview: District champs already, Bravettes hope to advance

The Scott County Central girls basketball team is guaranteed a district title this season as the only girls team in Class 1 District 1.

How far the Bravettes can advance in the state playoffs will be determined by how the young squad can gel and improve over the season.

Junior guard Brittney Peet and sophomore forward Amanda Lawless are the only returning starters from a squad which fell in the sectional round to Delta last season.

Scott County coach Semona Penrod said she is excited about the potential of her young squad.

"The good thing is we have a really young Bravettes team," she said. "These players are only going to get better."

Peet, a two-year starter, will take over the point guard duties this year after the graduation of all-state guard Janet Penrod. While not gifted with much size at 5-foot-5, Peet is one of the quickest players in the area.

Semona Penrod said she has really seen a growth in Peet's game.

"You can see the difference in her maturity level, which will make a difference in her game," Penrod said.

Scott County does not have a senior on its roster and has just five juniors. With such a young group, many of the girls will have to take on much more prominent roles on the varsity team this season.

"Probably the biggest thing against us is the girls are playing together for the first time," Penrod said, "but I can see a difference every day."

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SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL GIRLS

Coach: Semona Penrod, 12th season

Assistant: Alisha Lacy

Last season: 15-7, lost to Delta in Class 1 sectional

Conference: Scott-Mississippi Conference

Returning starters

Brittney Peet 5-5 Jr. G

Amanda Lawless 5-7 So. F/C

Rest of roster

Samantha Jones, 5-4, Jr., G/F; Lakeisha Turner, 5-4, Jr., G; Brianna Johnson, 5-3, So., G; Andrea Johnson, 5-6, Jr., G/F; Tracy Boley, 5-2, Jr., G; Alana Hargrove, 5-7, So., F; Jovonne Banks, 5-3, So., G; Jamisha Williams, 5-8, So., F; Kisha Ross, 5-7, So., F; Brittney Jones, 5-6, So., F; Iesha Turner, 5-4, Fr., G; Kristian Gilliland, 5-5, Fr., G; Stacey Monroe, 5-8, Fr., F/C; Lavada Barnes, 5-6, Fr., F

Schedule

Nov. 22 -- Greenville, 6 p.m.

Nov. 28 -- Cairo, Ill., 6 p.m.

Dec. 3 -- East Carter, 4 p.m.

Dec. 5-8 -- Chaffee tournament

Dec. 12 -- at Oran, 6 p.m.

Dec. 15 -- Doniphan, 6 p.m.

Jan. 5 -- at East Prairie, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9-13 -- Scott-Miss. tournament

Jan. 17 -- at Twin Rivers, 6 p.m.

Jan. 19 -- at Scott City, 6 p.m.

Jan. 23 -- at Neelyville, 6 p.m.

Jan. 30 -- New Madrid County, 6 p.m.

Feb. 2 -- at Dexter, 6 p.m.

Feb. 6 -- Charleston, 6 p.m.

Feb. 13 -- at Kelly, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 16 -- at Chaffee, 6 p.m.

Feb. 20 -- Caruthersville, 6 p.m.

Feb. 23 -- Delta, 6:30 p.m.