With basketball season in full swing and district play ramping up, UCR’s Rusty Ellis and Michael Lindsay have graded each team’s performance to this point. Grades were decided upon using multiple factors including win-loss records, quality of wins and preseason expectations for each school.
Lady Bobcats: A-
Overall Record: 11-3 (0-0)
Key Wins: Van Buren County, McMinn County, Oneida
Reasoning: Expectations are always high in Byrdstown once basketball starts up, and this year is no different. Led by a returning cast that featured key players like Emmy Lowe, Allie Amonett and Callie Reeder, with new players in the fold like Zoey Nicholas and Addy Lowe, this could be the year that Pickett breaks through and not only makes it to Murfreesboro, but challenges for the Class A title.
How to Improve: Win the district, win the region and make it back to the Glass House. Clay County and Clarkrange have predominantly dominated this district the last several years, but this could be the best chance for the Lady Bobcats to break through. One glance at the other district in the region tells you all you need to know, and two teams from this league can absolutely make it to the state tournament.
Bobcats: A-
Overall Record: 10-5 (0-0)
Key Wins: Van Buren County, Oneida (twice)
Reasoning: Head coach Joseph Amonett had a tall task ahead of him this season, as he was replacing one of the most decorated senior classes in program history. It looks like the Bobcats haven’t missed a beat, as they sit at 10-5 heading into Friday’s clash with Clay County. Jacob Amonett looks like a star-in-the-making, Dylan Anderson is a great do-it-all athlete and the Bobcats possess good depth for a 1A team.
How to Improve: Make it to the district championship and earn a substate game. That would go miles for this team that features several players that hadn’t played key minutes before this season. In terms of growth and development, this kind of accomplishment will only aid the Bobcats in the coming years.