It’s a new season, which means David Teague’s Bell County Lady Bobcats are ready to make another run at the 13th Region crown while defending their Class 2A Sectional crown and the 52nd District title.
The Lady Bobcats (28-4 last season) entered last season’s 13th Region Tournament red-hot, winners of 10 straight, but saw their season come to an abrupt halt after falling to Jackson County in the first round, 69-36.
Despite the loss, Teague said he was pleased with his team’s accomplishments from last season.
“I thought we had a good season last year and were able to accomplish some of our team goals,” he admitted. “We finished the year 24-8, won the 2A sectional for the third time in a row, won a game at the 2A state tourney and won the 52nd district championship for the third year in a row.
“Our season finished with disappointment in the 13th Region Tournament with a loss to a good Jackson County team,” Teague added. “Hopefully, our kids have learned from that game, and we look forward to competing this season. I feel that the experiences our players had last year will help them grow as we try to have success in the 2022-2023 season.”
Teague admitted he likes what he has seen out of his team heading into the season.
“Our kids are working hard,” he said. “They have been positive all fall during workouts and have all had great attitudes as we have gotten into practice. Those things are important for a team and a head coach.
“If players are buying in and doing things that are asked of them, it makes life for everyone a lot easier,” Teague added. “I feel that our kids have a bad taste in their mouth for the way our season ended last year, and hopefully that will give them some motivation to want to grow as a team and improve as we move forward.”
With the abundance of talent returning this season, Teague believes his team can make noise once again.
“I feel that we have the opportunity to have a good basketball team this season,” he said. “We return three players with a lot of experience, and I feel that we have some other players ready to step up and take their turn. Hopefully, we can continue to improve as the season goes along, and we have ourselves ready to go come tournament time. I feel that we should be competitive in both our district and the region.
“I believe that we have some pieces that will allow us to compete with teams across our region,” Teague added. “We have some length, and we have some quickness, those things are important to be able to compete with the top teams. Our kids are eager to get started, and I feel that they will embrace the expectations that we have set for them. Our goals will remain the same as they are each season, to give ourselves a chance to win the district and the regional tournaments.”
Key players returning for the Lady Bobcats are Gracie Jo Wilder, Mataya Ausmus and Lauren McGeorge.
“Our top three returning players this season are 6’1 junior forward Gracie Jo Wilder, 5’4 senior guard Mataya Ausmus and 5’4 sophomore guard Lauren McGeorge,” he said. “Gracie Jo averaged 15.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season. Mataya averaged 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds per game, and shot 36 percent from 2-point territory. Lauren averaged 5.9 points per game, and 2.0 rebounds per game coming off the bench last season. I expect all 3 of those players to have higher averages this season as they will all 3 take on bigger roles.
“I feel that Gracie Jo is one of the top 3-4 players in the region,” Teague added. “She is long, very athletic and has a high basketball IQ. She will have a bigger role for our basketball team this season, as she will be asked to score the ball more and rebound more efficiently. Gracie Jo has grown physically and is more mature than last season, I expect her to have a big year for our basketball team.”
Teague said his team strength will be his players’ overall size, and depth could be a concern.
“We will start three kids that are 6’4, 6’1 and 5’10 that are all athletic, and I feel that we have two of the more athletic guards in the region in Mataya Ausmus and Lauren McGeorge,” he said. “We don’t return a lot of varsity level experience, but we do return three pretty good basketball players that have played in big games.
“I believe those three will be leaders for the younger players as they gain experience throughout the season,” Teague added. “We will have to continue to develop our team depth, but I feel like we have three to four players that can help us with that role.”
Even though Bell County will enter the season as favorites to win its fourth straight district crown, Teague feels the district will be more balanced this season.
“Harlan County and Harlan City both return the majority of their team,” he said. “I think both return all five starters. Both of those teams will be improved, very experienced and both are well coached. Middlesboro has a new coach this season, and I’m sure they are expecting to be improved as well. It is one of our goals to win the 52nd District Tournament, but will we have to come ready to play each night when we face district competition.”
Teague believes his squad will be right in the mix of things when it comes to looking at the 13th Region picture, but admitted Corbin enters the season as the favorite to repeat.
“They got on a good run and won it last year, and they return several key pieces and will be a hard out again this season,” he said. “North Laurel will be right at the top again this year, Coach (Eddie) Mahan does a great job with his team, and they have some very good players. South Laurel will be a top contender in the region as well, with several experienced players and some good young players returning. Jackson County has a lot of size, and any time you have to face a team like that, they pose a lot of problems.”
