Zickfield to help shoulder load

The Central girls basketball team will start the season with a somewhat inexperienced starting lineup after graduating three of its top players from last season and because of an ACL tear to guard/forward Tierra Walker.

Central coach Sherri Shirrell said she is looking to junior center Wendi Zickfield, who has started since her freshman year, to lead some of the newcomers and pick up the team's play in the early going.

"She's going to be one we rely on a lot," Shirrell said. "She's big and she's pretty physical and she's really working extremely hard right now and playing really well in practice. She's also being vocal and being a good leader for us. We're expecting some good things out of her.

"She's good with the ball. She's got some good post up moves and she's getting more aggressive around the basket as far as taking the contact. We are working on her rebounding, but she is being more aggressive around the basket."

As for Walker, she could return in late December. Her injury occurred over the summer.

"She's in her rehab right now and should be ready hopefully by Christmas," Shirrell said.

Sophomore Sadie Pittman will take over the point guard position that was left open by Christina Sexton, one of the graduating starters.

"She is quick, she's aggressive, she jumps well, she's going to be our playmaker, and everything we do is going to go through her," Shirrell said. "She's got the quickness, the jumping ability and the ball-handling skills and she's got a nice jump shot."

The other guard will likely be guard Sarah Uptmor, who has a nice jump shot, decent speed and is vocal on the court, Shirrell said. Uptmor came off the bench last year as a sophomore.

Junior Taylor Kirn and senior Lauren Kinsey also likely will start.

Kirn, a forward, has a nice touch around the basket and can hit the jump shot, Shirrell said. Kinsey received limited playing time last year but has been shooting the ball well.

"[Kinsey] can shoot the lights out," Shirrell said. "She's a gym rat. She works hard."

Shirrell added that her starting five is not etched in stone and Chelsea Pannier, Breia Twiggs, Starr Harris, Jenna Matthews, Abby Kiefner and Machaela Durham will also compete for playing time.

Defensively, Shirrell said the Tigers have the quickness to press at times and also play some man-to-man.