Sand Mountain Reporter

Seniors Emily Peek and Molly Williamson were starters as sophomores on the Crossville girls basketball team that won the Class 3A state championship in 2008.

Head coach Jon Peppers would love nothing better than for Williamson and Peek to lead the Lady Lions to a return trip to the summit during the 2009-10 season.

Crossville’s roster features six seniors. The others are Darby Williamson, Hillary Harper, Krysta Mathews and Chelsey Dixon.

“Molly and Emily got to experience what it felt like to be in Birmingham to play on that high level and that big stage,” Peppers said.

“These other seniors didn’t get that feeling, and I think maybe that’s a strong-suit for us because they want that feeling, and they’re wanting to work to get there so they can have what it feels like to be down there.”

Completing Crossville’s rosters are juniors Keelie Wilkes and Ashley Priest, sophomore Macey Simpson and eighth-grader Jaycie Bobo.

Peppers said the girls have nicknamed Simpson “Tree” because of her height.

“Macey is 6-1, probably pushing 6-2,” he said. “She was about 6-foot last year, so she’s grown a little bit more.”

Peppers describes his fifth varsity team at CHS as “well-rounded.” He believes it features the best inside game in his tenure at his alma mater.

“We’re very deep at the post position with four really good ballplayers, but then we also have some really good shooters to complement that,” he said.

“Instead of being an outside-in team like we’ve been the last three or four years, we’re going to be more of an inside-out team.”

The Lady Lions will compete in Class 3A, Area 14 with Pisgah, Sylvania and New Hope. Crossville lost to Pisgah in the area tournament finals last season.

“Our area is pretty strong,” Peppers said. “Sylvania has all their starters back from last year’s team and they beat us one game. To me, I think they’ll be the top team to beat in the area.

“Pisgah has got some new girls out playing. They’re probably more physical than they’ve been in two or three years. I think New Hope is in a rebuilding year after losing lots of seniors.”

The race for the DeKalb County Tournament crown is traditionally tough, and Peppers doesn’t expect that to change in 2010.

“Sylvania will probably be a contender, and you’ve always got to count Fyffe in there because Coach (Mike) Cochran always has his girls ready for county,” Peppers said.

“Geraldine has a good group of girls back. They’ve got the transfer (Alanna Smith), the 6-foot-3 girl from Fyffe.

“Ider has had that taste of winning the last three or four years. Even with a new coach (Blake Laney), they’re also going to be a tough team to beat in the county.”

Crossville has advanced to the regional tournament three years in a row. Peppers wants to see that streak continue.

“I think if we just continue working … we’ve got to do a better job of being prepared mentally when we walk onto the floor. I think if we do that every game, then we’ll be successful.”

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Publisher: Ben Shurett

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