What does Bracken County need to do to improve in 2011/2012? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

For starters, last year's team came out of nowhere to post a record of 18-11. I don't care what anyone says, that was an impressive feat, since the team had lost seven seniors (and all five starters) from the season previous. Sara Sticklen firmly established herself as one of the 10th region's top players, averaging 18 points & 11.4 rebounds per game. The 40-points, 18 rebounds performance vs. Mason County in the district tournament was incredible. Last year's talented corps of freshmen stepped up to the plate as well--again, seemingly out of nowhere. Losing Allana Ahrens to a season-ending injury during the Class A Tournament hurt, but the Lady Bears collected themselves & finished the season as the 39th District Champions before losing a heart-breaker to a much bigger, more experienced Pendleton County team in the regional tournament.

 

Bracken will essentially return everyone, sans Ahrens. But the big difference this year will be how the Lady Bears perform with higher expectations. Last year, they flew under the radar & surprised many people. Heck, there were ardent fans of the program expecting less than 10 wins last season (you know who you are...don't try to deny it...Randy's always watching & listening) . This year, the Lady Bears will be a major player in both the Class A & 39th District. And depending on how the team develops, they could even make some noise in the 10th Region tournament. There is plenty of talent in the sophomore class with Jordan Wills, Mallory Bell, Emma Conley & Cassidy Jefferson. Kayla Cummins will probably start and provide some senior leadership. Allison Tarvin & Savannah Simons will provide some depth. But Sticklen will be the featured player on the team & I also believe for the entire region.

 

The 39th District itself will be a dogfight. With all due respect to Augusta, it's a three-team district with Bracken, Mason, & St. Patrick. All three teams return the vast majority of their players from last year & the tournament will be wide-open IMO (hosted by Bracken). Each team has a standout player (Bracken's Sticklen, Mason's Smith, & St. Pat's Douglas). Will be interesting to see these three teams fight it out come post-season.

 

To get better, the Lady Bears will have to learn to play with a target on their backs, as opposed to being a bit of a Cinderella. They'll have to improve on free throw shooting, which was an abysmal 54% last season. For Sticklen especially, she need to improve by at least 10% (57% last year). Conley needs to double her free throw percentage (33% last year). Interesting stat: Sticklen shot 269 free throws last year. The other returning players had a combined 281 attempts (remember, Ahrens is the only player lost & she shot 41 FT's).

 

They'll have to execute effectively against zone defenses, because they'll see much more of that this year. Sticklen, who took a physical beating most of last season, will have to remain durable & injury-free. As dominating as she already is, she can become unstoppable if she can develop a consistent outside shot & improve her left-hand dribble. And I think they'll need to get more production in the low post. Cassidy Jefferson is better facing the basket & spotting up for jumpers, but she'll need to get a little more physical in the paint. Wills & Bell need to continue to play with that trademark scrappy style.

 

I personally have high expectations for Bracken County. I look forward to another fun season with Coach Kelsch & the ladies from Brooksville!

The 39th District itself will be a dogfight. With all due respect to Augusta, it's a three-team district with Bracken, Mason, & St. Patrick. All three teams return the vast majority of their players from last year & the tournament will be wide-open IMO (hosted by Bracken). Each team has a standout player (Bracken's Sticklen, Mason's Smith, & St. Pat's Douglas). Will be interesting to see these three teams fight it out come post-season.

 

Indications are Mason is losing starters Smith (transferring), Menke, and Moore plus at least one other varsity player. Bracken has done what Mason has failed to do - develop talent and keep up morale. If Bracken keeps that up, they'll do fine. Hopefully, Akin can turn things around for Mason. But, it looks like tough year for Mason.

Bracken Co. should have another solid season since they are playing with the same group that won the district last year only they all are a year older and more experienced. I did here at the gas station today that Stricklin wasn't playing this summer due to a softball injury.

 

I agree with RP about the district being competitive. Where is the district this year?

The district will be held at Bracken Co.

Anyone know how BC performed in camp this week?

Is Stricklen playing?

Edited June 19, 201115 yr by gold sunrise
Rule #13

Sticklen will not be playing all summer. She has been working hard developing her left hand.

 

Bracken Co. finished 5-2 at Transylvania. Alot of good teams that gave us some valuable experience and showed us some things we need to improve on.

Sticklen will not be playing all summer. She has been working hard developing her left hand.

 

Bracken Co. finished 5-2 at Transylvania. Alot of good teams that gave us some valuable experience and showed us some things we need to improve on.

You talked some about Perry County Central, aren't they returning one of the better players in the state(Noble,maybe?). How did they look,what you saw of them?

PCC was one of the best teams I saw all week.

 

Noble is not back from injury yet.

PCC has all the pieces to make a serious postseason run.

Sticklen will not be playing all summer. She has been working hard developing her left hand.

 

Bracken Co. finished 5-2 at Transylvania. Alot of good teams that gave us some valuable experience and showed us some things we need to improve on.

 

 

5-2 without Stricklen is an accomplishment. With her you possibly would have been 7-0.

 

Can't wait to see her this year!

Lady Bears have had some off-season injuries & other ailments to a few key players. Here's to hoping that they can get on the mend quickly & have a successful 2011-12 campaign! :thumb:

Coach Kelsch releases the schedule today on his Facebook page. Bracken has road games at the Candy Cane Classic (South Laurel), Lexington Christian, & West Jessamine. Other in-region road trips are highlighted by St. Patrick, Brossart, Harrison County & Paris.

 

Home games highlighted by defending 10th Region champ Montgomery County, as well as Harrison County, Bourbon County, Mason County, Campbell County & Sayre.

 

Overall, looks like a very balanced schedule for a team that surprised many last year.