Joe Burchell
Sports Editor
Coach
Donnie Gray
Joe Burchell, Sports Editor
Lady Tigers young, talented
Donnie Gray enters his 19th season as girls' basketball coach at Clay County having won 432 of 553 games, with a state title and a runner up finish. His Lady Tigers squad went 19-7 last season but failed to advance to the 13th Regional tournament for the first time in school history.
This season the Lady Tigers are considered to be one of the region's top five teams, this despite being Gray's youngest squad ever. "We will be very young this season but the talent is very good, as good as I've ever seen," said Gray. "We do have sophomore Jayme Gilbert returning as a three year starter and (juniors) Kari Ealy and Kelly Jones return with some experience so we have a pretty good mix," Gray added.
One one senior is listed on the team roster, guard Monica Bowling. Bowling started last season after skipping basketball her sophomore season. She is known for her long arching three point shot and her scrappy defense. Clay County's top player is sophomore point guard Jayme Gilbert. The three year starter averaged almost 14 points and six rebounds per game last season while dishing out nearly 100 assists. The Blue Star Basketball Publication listed Gilbert among the top 50 underclassmen. She was invited to an attended a one day camp for the elite 50 in Chicago in September.
"Jayme is an outstanding player and she will get her points. What we need is for someone else to step up and be a consistent scorer and take some pressure off Jayme," said Gray. Kelly Jones and Kari Ealy are back for their junior seasons. Jones was just gaining her confidence at the center position when she went down with a season ending injury before the holiday break. She suffered a broken bone in her wrist but is completely healed and has been playing well in practice.
Ealy is one of the team's best three point threats. She had several memorable games last season where she nailed as many as five straight three's in a game. Paige Jackson, a freshman, will start at one guard. Jackson is known for her intense play and is a solid all around performer. Sophomore Amanda House and freshman Maleah Roberts will spell Jones in the pivot this season. Both are good rebounders and can put points on the board. "In our preseason games we got very solid play from our post players (Jones, House and Roberts)," said Gray. A big key for us will be how well we defend and rebound," he added.
Jenna Wilson will see a lot of minutes at guard and small forward. She is very quick defender and had excellent range on her jump shot. Last season she lacked the confidence to become a consistent scorer, something she has worked on in the preseason. Freshman Holly Hoskins joins the squad after playing in Laurel County the past several seasons. She is a good ball handler and has a nice shooting touch. Sophomore Mariah Aubrey, freshman Bethani Herron and eighth grader Gemma Gray are the teams only true power forwards. Eighth grade guards, Stephanie Jackson and Sarah Burchell are two nice players that should contribute this season.
Few would argue the 49th District is the strongest in the state with Jackson County and Rockcastle County ranked fourth and seventh, respectively, in the Lexington Herald Leader state wide preseason poll. The 49th District Tournament will be played at Oneida Baptist, with the 13th Region tournament being played at Middlesboro. If Clay is to get to the regional they will have to knock off a top five team along the way. "Most of our games are going to be close, right down to the wire," said Gray. "But if we can pick it up offensively we should be in all out games right to the end." he added.
