CORBIN — Many teams would be happy coming off a 22-win season, but Isaac Wilson’s Corbin Lady Redhounds feel as if they have some unfinished business to settle this season.
After falling short of repeating as 13th Region champions last season, Wilson’s squad is looking to reclaim their seat atop the region, and return some of, if not the best, talent in the region.
“We have everyone returning this season and they all seem to be pretty hungry and ready for the year to begin,” Wilson said. “We have many players who are not satisfied with how our season ended last year, and it is currently showing in practice.
“Players are focused and bought in on a much different level this year than they were at this same time last year,” he added. “I am very pleased with our team at this moment and I feel this is the best focus and approach to a season that I have seen at this point in the year since I have been at Corbin High School.
“This basketball team is disappointed with how our season ended last season, and I have seen a much different approach from everyone involved in the program,” Wilson continued. “Coaches and players have made an effort in making the necessary changes to ensure that our team can have the most success possible coming into this year. If we continue to have the same focus and attention to detail that I have seen up to this point, then I feel confident that this team can accomplish any goal they set for themselves this season.”
Why is Corbin picked by many to unseat North Laurel as region champions?
It’s simple, the Lady Redhounds return everyone from lasts radon’s 22-10 squad.
“We return everyone on the team from last season,” Wilson said. “”We feel that we have 10 to 12 kids who are all competing for minutes and even possibly starting spots for the coming season. Our competitiveness in practice is at an all time high, and this will only help to make this team better moving forward.”
Starters Kallie Housley, Darcie Anderson, Kylie Clem, Bailey Stewart, and Raegan Walker will be leading the way once again for
“Kallie was 13th Region MVP and region champion during her sophomore season,” Wilson said. “She is hungry to get back to the top of the mountain and to end her high school career on top. She has really focused on her leadership coming into this season and we expect her to have another great year within the program.
“Darcie is a solid point guard who is the straw that helps stir the drink for our basketball team,” he added. “She struggled last season dealing with a few injuries and never really got back to 100 percent. She is healthy and excited for a second chance at showing her talents and impacts to this basketball team within the region and state. Kylie is coming into her second year as a Redhound. She is looking to make a huge leap forward. We expect Kylie to be much more comfortable this year and to have a breakout season. She is very athletic and can impact a basketball game on both sides of the floor. She is one on the most athletic girls in our region and she is prepared to make her impact on this basketball team.
“I feel that Noodles (Bailey Stewart) has started and been in the program for 20 years now,” Wilson continued. “She is the most-seasoned Redhound on this basketball team and she has taken a big step forward in the leadership category to help make our team better. Her impact on the defensive end goes unnoticed to most, but without her we would really struggle. I expect her to have a better year this season and she also is looking to end her high school career on top. Raegan is the kid who does a lot of the stuff that most kids don’t like doing. Raegan has played a huge roll for us down low and will continue to do so this season. What she is able to accomplish being an undersized forward/post is quite remarkable really. Without Raegan bringing her edge and toughness to this basketball team, I’m not real sure where we would be.”
When is comes to strengths, experience has to lead the way for Corbin. The Lady Redhounds possess experience at every starting position.
“I don’t believe that a team can return more players and experience than this basketball team,” Wilson said. “They are as experienced of a basketball team that you can find anywhere in the state. This is something that can be helpful for us moving forward and I do believe that this will be a big contributor in our success this season. There is not a situation that we have not experienced and we can use this to our advantage this coming season.”
Depth is another strength for Corbin.
Michaela Williams, Mahayla Jordan, Lydia King, Addy Wilson, and Izzy Walker will be counted on to provide quality minutes for Corbin.
“All of these girls have a chance at impacting games this coming season and really having solid seasons for our program,” Wilson said. “I’ve never been more pleased with the competition of practices, and because of this all of these individuals have good chances at earning minutes early on in the season and as the season progresses.”
As any coach does with the season approaching, Wilson does have some concerns.
“Some concerns that I have entering the year all goes back to us becoming a team,” he said. “This is something that I feel really cost us last season from achieving some goals that we set out to achieve. If this basketball team truly comes together and all meet at the common goal of winning then I truly believe that anything is possible with this group.”
Wilson said keys to success for his team this season is simple — “Defense. Buying into earning stops,” he said. “Instead of loving offense and just wanting to outscore people, learning to love the defensive side of things and get just as much joy out of a stop than we do on a score.
“Team,” he added. “Learning that if it isn’t good for the team then it isn’t good for me. This has been our No. 1 focus since our season ended last year and I truly feel that our message has been heard. Players have shown a noticeable difference up to this point and I feel that others will see it when the season begins.”
Wilson’s squad will once again, play one of the toughest skates in the region, and it is by design.
“Our schedule is very similar to last season and will definitely make us battle tested,” he said. “We still have some of the top teams in the state on our schedule and we feel that we are more prepared to compete at this level this season. Our kids are experienced with a tougher schedule from last season, and we feel that this experience will only help prepare us for the postseason.”
The Lady Redhounds will enter the season as the senescing 50th District champions, and look to be the team to beat.
“I feel that being the defending 50th District champions that I would be crazy to not say that we aren’t No. 1 in the district,” Wilson said. “I respect our district and each team in our district. To me, the 50th District year in and year out is the toughest district in our region. The night that you don’t respect an opponent and come to play, you can walk out of the gym with a loss. I expect this year to be no different and each coach in our district always does an excellent job of having their teams ready to compete.”
Does Wilson believe his team is tops in the region?
“We know that we have a real chance at winning the region crown, and we have all the intentions of getting back to the top,” he said. “After a disappointing end to our season last year, our players have really dedicated themselves to becoming better in many areas. Our seniors all tasted the Region Championship during the 21-22 season, and they are focused on doing whatever it takes to get back to winning a regional tournament and representing our school and region at the KHSAA Sweet 16.”
