Girls Prep Basketball Previews: Elverado Starts with Tip-Off Tourney

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Elverado High School's Girls Basketball faces a new challenge as the 2009-2010 season begins, joining the rugged Du Quoin Lady Indians Tip-Off Classic.

The Lady Falcons will face five larger opponents during the tournament, with four of those (Du Quoin, Murphysboro and Johnston City) Class 2A schools. Steeleville is the other Class 1A entry.

'We will hit the floor Tuesday at Du Quoin and see what happens," third year coach Lance Bedar (8-40) said.

"We are going to be young, but that's not really an excuse this year. Four of our returning girls started most of last season and the other one played off the bench quite a bit."

Bedar's squad should feature one of the Black Diamond Conference's top backcourts with the junior guard duo of Sami Hicks and Chelsea Cochran returning.

Courtney Morse-a senior-and junior Kelsi Teague will start at the forward positions.

Liz Falter and Lacie Qualls-two more sophomores-are also fighting for starting jobs.

Bedar welcomes a talented eight-player freshman class to the program.

Erica Will (6'0) and Jenny Sarensen (5'10) will see time under the basket as Bedar tries to replace All-BDC center and shot-blocking specialist Mallory Winthrop, who was lost to graduation.

Murphysboro transfer Megan Trammel (5'4) is the quickest Lady Falcon and should make an immediate varsity impact.

Corrine Wilson and Will are currently fighting injury.

"The freshman are going to have to play quite a bit, " Bedar admitted.

"We should have a deeper bench than last year."

Elverado returns to the Benton Holiday Tournament in late December and will again play in Chester's Invitational a few weeks later.

Besides Black Diamond Conference, West Division home-and-home games against Trico, Carterville, Sesser-Valier and Z-R-C, the Lady Falcons battle several strong non-league foes.

Webber Township, Dongola, Cobden, Woodlawn, Shawnee, Steeleville and Chester return to the schedule.

Bedar will be assisted by his daughter, Kara, a former Lady Falcons standout.

EHS was 3-22 last season.