Published: December 26, 2008 11:49 pm      

Experienced Tigers being overshadowed by ‘other’ Tigers in Black Diamond District

HAYSI, Va. — Haysi is being forced to fly under the radar in the Black Diamond District again this season, despite returning all five starters and two key reserves, and adding several promising newcomers.

Honaker won the regular season and tournament titles in the BDD last year, Twin Valley reached the state semifinals and Council returns all five starters from a club that's been to the regionals two years in a row, so the Lady Tigers were picked to finish fourth in the BDD in a pre-season coach's poll.

Haysi, however, has enough experience and talent to challenge the big three in the BDD, and plenty of confidence, after a late season win over Council in last year's 8-18 campaign.

The Lady Tigers hope last year's strong finish will carry over into BDD play this season, with seniors Jazmine Counts (5-7), Holly Hyden (5-9), Sydney Sutherland (5-8) and Candace Sutherland (5-5) back.

Juniors Mishala O’Quinn (5-8) and Julie Spangler (5-4) and sophomore Sarah Stiltner (5-7) also return for Haysi.

"We're hoping it carries over, anyway," Haysi coach Jessica Owens said. "We have a really experienced team.

"The girls have played so much together, they have more confidence now. They feel more comfortable on the court."

The Lady Tigers are working three more sophomore newcomers into the picture, along with junior Taylor Hay (5-3). The sophomores are Traci Edwards (5-6), Monique Sutherland (5-6) and Stephanie Lapp (5-5).

Candace Sutherland is out with a knee injury until after the holidays.

Counts (who averaged 12 points per game last year) and Hyden (11.8) comprise one of the most athletic backcourts in the area, but they need help on the offensive end of the floor.

O'Quinn, Stiltner and Monique Sutherland will work inside, while Sydney Sutherland can play inside or out.

"We're hoping to get the ball inside more," Owens said. "Our posts have worked a lot and gotten a lot stronger.

"Last year we depended so much on Holly and Jaz to shoot from the outside, and your shot's not always on. Sarah and Sydney can do the job inside, and Mishala and Monique are coming along, too."

The Lady Tigers begin district play in January.

"We hope to be in a better position in the district than we were last year at the end of the season," Owens added. "I feel like we're pretty close to (the top three teams). We have the potential, we just have to make it happen."

Haysi was 3-3 on the season, heading into its Black Diamond District opener on Jan. 6 at Hurley.

The Tigers reached the Group A title game in 1996, losing to Central-Woodstock 52-47.