Spring Garden’s Ricky Austin is attempting to work his coaching magic again.

Gone are long time staples such as Samford signee Paige Anderson and Bridget Parris, but the old saying goes, ‘Never underestimate the heart of a champion.’

“We’re still figuring things out,” Austin said. “We’re young, and we just need some experience, but I like this team. I think they’re very hungry and they’re coachable. They know they’re replacing some great players, and they’re ready to make their own names.”

Austin returns several players from last year’s undefeated state championship team, including 5-foot-5 senior guard Hannah Hutcheson.

Hutcheson averaged 8.8 points, 3.1 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals last season.

Other returning players with significant experience include junior center Shelby Malone and sophomore guard/forward Tara Mullinax.

Rounding out the Lady Panthers’ squad are sophomore guards/forwards Kelsey Turner, Lindsey Lambert and Kaitlyn Rickman. Freshmen Jordan Sides (guard) and Lynley Crabb (center/forward) are also expected to contribute on the court.

The Lady Panthers compete in Class 1A, Area 12 along with Asbury, Cedar Bluff, Collinsville, Gaston and Gaylesville.

The following is a preview of the 2008-09 girls basketball season for The Herald’s coverage area:

Cherokee County Lady Warriors

A pair of freshmen led the way for the Lady Warriors last season in guard Kaitlyn Griffith and forward Deidra Davis. Now that they have become sophomores, head coach Travis Barnes expects them to take their games to the next level.

Griffith averaged 14.8 points, 5.2 steals and 2.7 assists last season. Davis tallied 11 points and 3.5 rebounds.

Helping Griffith at the guard positions are juniors Mary Beth Brannon and Lynden Curry, sophomore Kaitlyn Stokes and freshmen Kristen Abney, Allyson Curry and Hannah Welsh.

Davis will be aided at forward by junior Laura Rochester, sophomore Karisa McEwen and freshmen Candace Blanchard and Briana McElrath. Junior Samantha Parker and freshman Melody Berry will anchor down at center.

Cherokee County competes in Class 4A, Area 12 along with Alexandria, Hokes Bluff and Jacksonville.

Cedar Bluff Lady Tigers

Head coach Joe Carpenter is hoping to improve on last year’s 11-15 record, and he has the tools returning to do it.

The Lady Tigers return three starters in junior guards Jessica Brannon, Mechelle Adams and Nicole Soignet. Adams is one of the Lady Tigers’ players at the point position.

Giving the team depth at guard are Tabitha Combs, Fe Soignet, Candria Dupree and Brooke Richardson. Katy Hall and Katie McGinnis provide depth at the point position.

Top newcomers include sophomore forward Bre Moten and junior forward Tanessa Fife. Emily McBurnett, Hannah Leach and Audrey Harguitt will also suit up at forward for the Lady Tigers.

“We are in a tough area with Gaston, Spring Garden, Gaylesville, Collinsville and Asbury,” Carpenter said. “We need to play really well each game.”

Cedar Bluff competes in Class 1A, Area 12 along with Asbury, Collinsville, Gaston, Gaylesville and Spring Garden.

Gaylesville Lady Trojans

Gaylesville returns four starters from last season, including top scorers Amber Moseley, Krysta Nichols and Olivia Matthews.

Moseley led the Lady Trojans with 9.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season. Nichols averaged 8.5 points and 4.3 assists. Matthews tallied 6.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. All three players are junior guards.

Kacie James is the team’s lone senior. She’ll help give the Lady Trojans depth at guard, along with sophomore Kelsey Johnson and freshman Kaitlyn Hammett. Sophomore Hannah Beason is slated to play at forward.

Gaylesville competes in Class 1A, Area 12 along with Asbury, Cedar Bluff, Collinsville, Gaston and Spring Garden.

Sand Rock Lady Wildcats

Senior guard Lauren Bell highlights a Lady Wildcat roster that returns three starters from last season. Bell averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 assists and 2.7 steals on her way to an all-state honorable mention last season. Head coach Lisa Bates said she can’t wait to see what Bell is capable of this season.

“She’s a great driver and an excellent outside threat,” Bates said.

Also returning to the Lady Wildcat lineup is senior Tiffany Prince and junior Tessa Pendergrass. Prince averaged 4.1 points and five rebounds per game last season. Pendergrass tallied 2.8 points and 4.8 rebounds.

“Tiffany has a passion for the game and gives 110 percent,” Baswell said. “Tessa should provide some scoring and rebounding we greatly need.”

Giving the Lady Wildcats depth at guard are Gena Farmer, Paige Ashley, Marlee Bell, Lana Bell, Amber Henderson and Karlie Anderson. Logan Smith will split duties between guard and post.

Other post players include Carrie Robertson, Hillary Parker, Emily Ozment and Stephanie Cook.

“This is a hard-working bunch of girls,” Baswell said. “We have worked on a more balanced effort.”

Sand Rock competes in Class 2A, Area 12 along with Geraldine, West End and Westbrook Christian.

Collinsville Lady Panthers

Opponents got familiar with the name Bowen last season when they played Collinsville. They’ll continue to get a double dose this season.

Seniors Breanna and Alisha Bowen return to give the Lady Panthers a solid 1-2 punch. Two-time all state honorable mention Breanna Bowen was the team’s leading scorer last season, averaging 21.2 points, nine rebounds and two assists last season. She is expected to split time at guard and forward.

Two other seniors also grace the roster in Taylor Nelson and Jasmine Williams. Collinsville also has two juniors in Heather Henderson and Kierra Moore and three sophomores in Jessica Cox, Erica Osborn and Marissa Soloman. Freshman Kristen Ford and eighth graders Christy Cox and Brittney Tidmore round out the roster.

Collinsville competes in Class 1A, Area 12 along with Asbury, Cedar Bluff, Gaston, Gaylesville and Spring Garden.

Piedmont Lady Bulldogs

The Lady Bulldogs posted the best season in their history last season by going 30-2 and making the Northeast Regionals. This season, head coach Matt Deerman will have to replace four seniors, including center Shalitha Swain and guard Brooke Dixon.

Hoping to help fill those voids are senior guard Brittany Strott and senior forward Paige Smith.

Deerman also returns a junior at the post position in Janissa McKinney and a trio of sophomore guards in Raven Prater, Niesha Burroughs and Hilarie Hincy. Shequia Ridley, also a sophomore, gives the Lady Bulldogs more depth at the guard position.

Junior Jeleca Johnson returns at forward, along with sophomores Aneisha Alexander and Breanna Dixon. Freshman Devonna Taylor gives Piedmont depth at the center position.

Piedmont plays in Class 3A, Area 10 along with Glencoe, Pleasant Valley, Weaver and White Plains.