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Girls Prep Basketball: Tip-Off Classic Field Looks Wide Open

Posted November 16, 2009 10:00 pm

Jeff Profitt

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[In its first six years, the Du Quoin Lady Indians Tip-Off Classic has produced six undefeated champions.

Don't be surprised, however, if that trend comes to a halt in 2009.

The round robin event has been expanded from four to six teams with newcomers Elverado and Steeleville joining holdovers Du Quoin, Johnston City, Murphysboro and Chester.

Play begins Tuesday in renovated Anders Memorial Gymnasium with Elverado vs. Johnston City at 5:30.

Chester and Murphysboro play the middle contest with Du Quoin and Steeleville taking the floor at 8:30.

"This should be a very good and competitive tournament," Lady Indians coach Shawn File said. "We are looking forward to getting things started."

File's squad returns sophomore guard Jessica Hirsch, who made last year's all-tournament team, and nine other letter winners.

Du Quoin last won its tourney in 2006 and has been 1-2 the past two years.

Defending champion Johnston City returns two juniors (Marissa Montgomery and Carly Bunting) but will rely heavily on a talented freshman class.

Point guard Allison Smiley, center Rowdee Sanders and forward Jessa Thomas have earned the other three starting roles and made their prep debuts in Monday's 20-point loss to Goreville.

Top players off the bench include Britta South and the senior duo of Samantha Payne and Jessie Bille.

Chester expects to be one of the area's most improved squads with junior Hillary Best leading the way.

Best played basketball in Switzerland over the summer and gained valuable playing time, hitting the hardwood with other basketball standouts from around the US.

The lone senior returner is Allison Miller. Shelly Lyons, Jordan Clendenin and Jade Jolly also saw plenty of minutes on the varsity level last season while Kristy Pulliam, Ariel Gales and Rebecca Young could also see varsity minutes this season.

Elverado joins the field with a young, but experienced squad and features trio of talented guards in juniors Sami Hicks and Chelsea Cochran and freshman Megan Trammel.

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. Two tall freshmen, Erica Will (6'0) and Jenny Sarensen (5'10), will rotate in the post.

Murphysboro-like Du Quoin and Johnston City a two-time Tip-Off champion-lost most of its squad to graduation and appears to be a wildcard heading into the event.

The Lady Red Devils do sport the tournament's best all-time record at 12-6 and have new co-coaches in Staci and Matt Hickam.

Hillary Brewer and , Nykeisha Dowell and Cassie Torgensen are the lone seniors. Torgeson is a returning starter.

Steeleville has the tournament's tallest player in 6'1 sophomore Megan Lalis and features an all-underclass roster.

7th Annual Lady Indians Tip-Off Classic