The Cookeville Lady Cavaliers have many reasons to be optimistic as they prepare to start the 2020-2021 basketball season.
With a returning core of starters and role players, CHS head coach Jamie Gillies was feeling good as her team approaches the start of the regular season.
“We’re really excited to play,” said Gillies. “Are we ready? I’m not positive, because we haven’t been able to scrimmage and we didn’t play this summer. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but it’s just a different start this year than in the past.”
Nearly all of the pivotal pieces, with a couple of exceptions, return for the Lady Cavs last season this season. Gillies said in an unconventional 2020, it could be a big advantage for her team.
“All the kids on my varsity squad have played for me,” said Gillies. “Moving forward, it is a benefit for us. We have changed some things based on our personnel and what I think we can do this year. Overall, I’ve got 10 kids coming back that played last year.”
The Lady Cavs will face a tough non-district slate to open up the season, including matchups with single-A powerhouse Clarkrange, Blackman, Siegel, Oakland, Pickett County, York and Stewart’s Creek.
Gillies said booking a tough non-district schedule should help prepare her team for a challenging district.
“I schedule those tough games early because I know how tough our district is,” said Gillies. “We need to be challenged. We need to be ready for what’s coming in January. We’re looking to compete and be sure we’re ready.”
District 6/AAA looks to be a top district in the state in the 2020-2021 season. Cookeville faces competition at the top of the district in rival White County and Stone Memorial, who made a trip to the state tournament earlier this year.
“I think we’re strong in our district,” said Gillies. “Stone Memorial, I believe, would’ve won the state tournament last year. They’re definitely the team to beat. Sparta is always strong. If we can get out of our district and then out of our region, we’ll be looking pretty good.”
Leading the Lady Cavs on the court will be several familiar faces. KK Graves emerged as a star in the 2019-2020 season. Gillies said Graves has continued to work on her game and strength in the offseason.
“She works hard,” said Gillies. “She’s been killing it in the weight room. She looks strong. I think the time off was good for all of us. We were able to come back fresh and really get back at it.”
The Lady Cavs will open the 2020 season Tuesday night at home against Stewart’s Creek. The game will be broadcast live on the UCR Facebook page with pregame coverage starting at 5:50.