Wayne County High School opens their 2023 – 2024 basketball season this Saturday as they visit Lawrence County High School for their opening match-up against the LCHS Wildcats and Lady Wildcats. They follow up by hosting Lewis County on Monday the 20th, then traveling to Decatur County on Tuesday the 21st. The Lady Cats are coming off of back-to-back runner-up finishes, finishing with a 36 – 1 record last season. The Wildcats ended their last season with a 16 – 13 record. Both teams return experience going into this year.
The Ladycats are again under the direction of former Ladycat Molly Ashley. She will be assisted by Scott Ashley. Last season’s Class 1-A Miss Basketball, Blair Baugus, returns as a junior this year to lead the Ladycats. Baugus averaged 18.1 ppg last year with an 8.2 rpg average and 71 blocks. She shot 78.7% from the free throw line, hitting 148 – 188 for the year. Seniors this year include Kenzie Griggs, who averaged 5.4 ppg and hit 35.6% from long range last year with 71 steals. Jac Keaton also returns from last year’s starting line-up. Keaton averaged 8.1 ppg, with 92 steals and 81 assists. Isabel Luedeke is the remaining senior who averaged 2.8 ppg in limited action, but will provide strength at the post for the Ladycats. Emma Bryant shot 34.6% from long range last year and averaged 1.8 ppg, seeing action in 30 of 37 games. Emma is a junior who will be looked to for strengthening the guard position. Presley Daniel, Mary Grace Littleton, and Adaline Odle, sophomore members of the squad, will add depth to the Ladycat roster. Newcomers to the Ladycats will be freshmen Ava Ashley, Kinsley Miller, and Lou Prater. Managers for the Ladycats will be Ella VanFleet and Renee Piper.
The Wildcats are coached again this year by Ryan Franks. David Sisk, Owen Risner, Charlie Mosley, and Tanner Andrews will be on the bench as assistants. The Wildcats have only one senior on this year’s squad. Jace Foster is a four-year player who saw limited playing time in the past, and will add leadership to a young team. He averaged 2.2 ppg and saw action in only 9 games last year. Junior squad members are Justice Bell, 9.2 ppg and 3.5 rpg over the 29 games; Isaac Hampton played in 10 contests, shooting 42.9% from three; Will Robertson (3.00 ppg) who played in only 14 games, but led the team in 3-point percentage at 46.7%; Cooper Shamer 10.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, with 41 steals; and Sayler Skelton, 9.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, who gives the ‘Cats much needed size at the post. The sophomore class features key players Logan Davis at the point and Cayman Camfield at the post. Davis (2.5 ppg), as a freshman, led the team in assists with 62 over the 29-game season. Camfield led the team in scoring at 14.3 ppg and rebounding at 6.9 rpg. He dished out 54 assists. Warren Camfield is the remaining sophomore class teammate, and saw very limited time last year. New squad members for the ‘Cats are Daylan VanFleet, Nate Bevis, Brayson Harris, and Case Butler. Managers for the ‘Cats will be Lucas Horton, Wyatt Morris, and Hayden Smotherman.
Wildcat cheerleaders will be under the direction of Tara Hollis and Anna Beth Haggard. Cheer squad members are: Seniors, Audrey Franks and Nevaen Bayless; Juniors: Emma Robertson and Keegan Burns; Sophomores, Gracie Harris, Myleigh Byrd, Shania Harris, Josie Prater, Elise Scaife, and Hannah Shelton; Freshmen: Caylee Dunnivant and Elly Hollis.
Support the teams as they work hard to put together a very successful basketball season. “GO WILDCATS AND LADYCATS!”—Submitted
