Lady Rockets all about the backcourt

The Shelby County girls' basketball team doesn't have that one star that it has had in the past.

However, a host of talented and under-the-radar guards will lead the Lady Rockets, starting with Haleigh LeCompte. The senior wing is the team's top returning scorer, after averaging 10.3 per game last year.

"She's a shooter, but she gets to the basket well," SCHS Coach Sally Zimmerman said. "She's going to lead us in scoring, and we expect that, but after her it's going to be a balanced attack.

"Once we get everybody healthy, I'm looking at going nine or 10 deep."

That depth will be the Lady Rockets' strength this season. Shelby County's lack of size will force the guards to rebound, and the defense to be tenacious.

"We're not tall in the post, and we're not long," Zimmerman said. "We have to extend the court on defense and have a lot of help on the backside. Most of the time, at this point in the year, we haven't put all our plays in, but we already have all our defenses in.

"That's how important it's going to be for us to get out on the floor and guard people. You're going to see us guard in the full court, half court, three-quarter court, press and contain."

Offensively, the Lady Rockets want to run, run and run.

However, much of that will depend on rebounding.

"Our inside girls, their sole focus is to keep the other team's bigs off the boards," Zimmerman said. "We need them to rebound, but because of our lack of experience and size, our guards are going to have to come in and rebound as well."

In the past, Zimmerman liked to have a guard leak out for the break, but this year everybody is going to the basket.

"That's where our quickness comes in," she said. "I think if our guards get the rebound, they're quick enough to get it out and get the break started."

Paige Radcliff returns inside from spot duty last year; joining her will be fellow senior Laney Hinkle and sophomore Shayla Bolin.

Radcliff has the most experience, while Hinkle is returning from an injury that kept her out last season. Bolin, Zimmerman said, has looked pretty good so far, but she needs to gain that varsity experience.

Zimmerman has nine players listed as guards to go with LeCompte on her 15-player roster.

Zimmerman is looking at three players rotating at the point guard position right now - Taylor Shaw, Marissa Raisor and freshman Leeara Cardwell.

"They are all three capable of playing the position. It's just a matter of confidence and game experience," Zimmerman said. "We're not to the point where whoever grabs the rebound becomes the point guard. I'd like to get there, but that's going to take more time and experience."