Lady Indians Expecting Improvement
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ With 11 letter winners returning-and a talented group of freshmen incoming-there's plenty of optimism hovering around the girls basketball program at Du Quoin High School.
The Lady Indians were just 1-25 in 2007-2088, but second year coach Shawn File is expecting much better things come this winter.
"We are going to have much more depth than in years past," File said. "The girls have been working incredibly hard at playing fundamental basketball. We are going to be a fun team to watch and cheer for."
While File did lose four key players -including River-to-River Conference all-league perfomer and current Rend Lake College volleyball standout Chasity Tilley-to graduation, the cupboard certainly isn't bare.
Senior forward Micah Ward is back along with classmates Cadey Hess (5'10, C) and Cashmiere Bledsoe.
Sophomores Shaylyn Little, Steffanie Gates, Ashley Ward and Heather Cavins earned varsity time as freshmen with File calling Cavins "the most improved player since the end of last season."
Danielle Woll (jr.) and Curry Emling (so.) are also back.
At least three freshmen-Jessica Hirsch (5'7, G), Michaela Brown (5'5, G) and Megi Jones (5'7, F)-could see plenty of court time.
"Hirsch will play significant minutes and Brown is a very good defender," File said. "Steffanie Gates is experienced at point guard and we expect Cadey Hess to provide lots of help in the post. Cashmeire Bledsoe will bring a lot of energy."
Despite struggling to just one victory last year, Du Quoin did manage to earn IHSA Academic All-State team honors with a combined 3.06 grade point average.
File's roster also includes junior guards Kelsey Smith and Lakeisha Johnson, sophomore Katelyn Morgan and seven more freshmen: Keawna Anders, Magen Edwards, Jessica Phillips, Tomi Hamlin, Clara Sitzes, Shelby Presley and Braelee Osborn.
"We have a total of 22 girls in the program and 10 freshmen," File said. "So we are looking to schedule some frosh games. We also want to try and create a great atmosphere at home."
Du Quoin will offer a package of "We need more Cowbell !" t-shirt, rally towel and free admission to all home games for $25. Fans will be allowed in at no charge provided they wear the t-shirt.
"We will lose some games this year but it won't be because we are lacking intensity," File said. "If we defend well, take care of the ball and just make the shots we should make, we will surprise some people. Right now, we have been working hard to just do the little things a team needs to do in order to stay competitive in our conference night in and night out."
The Lady Indians and Du Quoin Jaycees are again teaming up to host the 6th Annual Tip-Off Classic season-opening tournament next week.
Played at Du Quoin Middle School, the round-robin affair again includes Johnston City, Murphysboro and Chester.
Du Quoin's first action is Tuesday vs. Chester at 6 o'clock.
In addition to home-and-home games in the rugged Mississippi Division of the SIRR against Nashville, Anna-Jonesboro, Sparta, Pinckneyville and Chester, the Lady Indians tackle several non-SIRR foes. Trico, Sesser-Valier/Waltonville, Harrisburg, Murphysboro, Century, Herrin, Z-R-C, Benton and Carterville are part of the grind. The Lady Indians dropped out of Benton's Holiday Classic and will play just the one tournament this winter.
File's joined on the coaching staff by Nick Brown and Gary Kelly.