RIDGELAND LADY PANTHERS

bigger role this year as the No. 2 guard, which Pipes said is always an important spot in Ridgeland’s offense. King has had a good summer and should get plenty of looks at the basket.

Pipes is also extremely excited to have twin sisters Ciera and Kiera Foster out on the basketball floor for the first time since they’ve been at Ridgeland. Already outstanding softball players and track athletes, Pipes thinks their presence will only help his team. Both will play on the wing.

“If there are two more athletic girls in the region, I’d like to see them,” he said. ‘ They are just pure athletes.”

Hannah Desalvo will also play at a wing spot, while Kaylee Wade will give Ridgeland another solid reserve in the post. Kia Wade is a versatile player than can play multiple positions, while post Kyla Hamby is on the varsity roster after playing JV ball last year. Pipes said all four have put in plenty of hard work over the summer to improve their games.

Sophomore Macie Boren will play the all-important point guard position this season. Boren saw her minutes increase as last season went on and she played the position for the Lady Panthers all summer long. The final sophomore, Payton Buchanan, will provide Ridgeland with extra depth at guard.

Three freshmen will also likely see their share of minutes. Post player Annabel Hill has improved her game in the paint, while wing players Cordasia Watkins and Asia Silmon shined as softball and volleyball players, respectively, in the fall.

“This might be the most athletic team I’ve had here, top to bottom,” Pipes explained. “We have 14 girls on the varsity team, one of the biggest teams we’ve had in the past few years, and our athleticism is probably our biggest strength.”

Jeff Brewer is back to assist this season, while the new face is Ben Scoggins. Ke’asia Harris will serve as the team’s manager, while Joseph Ibach will handling the video duties.

Pipes added that the key for his team would be improving each and every day.

“You don’t win championships on Day 1 and you don’t hang championship banners in the summer,” he said. “Our goal is to just improve day to day. If we can do that, we’ll be OK.”