BBALL: Dresden has district title aspirations

After marching through the District 13-A schedule without a loss last season, the Dresden girls basketball team is hoping to do the same this year.

The boys’ teams is hoping that it can follow suit.

The Lady Lions faced tough competition from Gleason and Huntingdon but powered through those matchups to stay unbeaten.

“I would think with all that Gleason has returning, they will be tough again and so will Huntingdon, but so many other teams will be improved,” Dresden girls coach Jonathan West said.

Dresden has three starters back in seniors Millie Bryant and Kasey Gallimore along with junior Mary Grace Davis.

“Along with three starters back, we have two seniors back playing in Alex Sledd, who has been hurt the past two years, and Grace Finch, who focused on softball last year,” West said. “So we are experienced in our top three players, but the others are inexperienced.”

So much of the offense will run through Bryant, Gallimore and Davis early as the younger players adapt to their role on the team.

“Last year was the first year for Millie to play point guard, so she should have more confidence this year,” West said. “Kasey has gotten stronger and more athletic, and teams backed off of Mary Grace last year, but she has gotten stronger. Those three are the core that we will build around.”

With seven other teams in District 13-A, the district schedule is always long. But West thinks his team will be ready to fight.

“We have to stay healthy,” he said. “We have to take care of the basketball, which we did last year. We were deep at the guard position last year, not this year from an experience standpoint.

“We also have to rebound the basketball. We have all but one of our posts back, so we will have more size this year.”

Many think that Dresden boys are the favorites to win the District 13-A crown also. The Lions return four starters from last year.

“We hope to be in the mix for the district title,” Dresden boys coach Tommy Dilday said. “We have not accomplished that the last couple of years.”

It seems that Dresser Winn could put on any jersey for Dresden and be successful at that sport. He will be one of the leaders on the basketball team after averaging 20.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season.

“He is a scorer and athletic, but he is also unselfish and our hardest worker,” Dilday said. “He has a great attitude and a leader by example. When he is working hard, others pick that up and work hard also.”

But this year’s team seems to have the pieces to fit around Winn. Quincey McDonald and Dylan Yates are also back for their senior season, and this will be their third year to start.

“They have a lot of game experience and are good defensive players,” Dilday said. “Most football players are strong with an athletic ability. They fit with what we try to do well.”

One other senior in that bunch is Jordan Mitchell.

“Jordan is the glue of our defense,” Dilday said. “He is good at being in the right places.”

Dresden also has other seniors like Kyle Hutcherson, Hunter Walters (who is back after a knee injury) and Keilan Rooks (who is playing for the first time) ready to provide some quality minutes.

But keeping the scoring balanced will be the key for Dresden to fight for a district title.

“In the big games, Dresser has taken over,” Dilday said. “He scored 38 points three times against some of our toughest opponents. We have to get scoring inside and rebounding.”

Michael Odom, 425-9754

Dresden Lions

Last year’s record/finish: 15-10 (10-4)/3rd in District 13-A

2 key returners: Dresser Winn (G); Dylan Yates (G)

2 key series: McKenzie (Dec. 13 on road; Jan. 24 at home); Huntingdon (Jan. 6 on road; Jan. 31 at home)

Dresden Lady Lions

Last year’s record/finish: 27-5 (14-0)/1st in District 13-A

2 key returners: Millie Bryant (PG); Kasey Gallimore (F)

2 key series: Gleason (Dec. 6 on road; Jan. 17 at home); Huntingdon (Jan. 6 on road; Jan. 31 at home)