Familiarity Should Boost Lady Falcons in 2017-18
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
November 14, 2017
Last year was a year of transition for the Volunteer Lady Falcons.
First-year head coach Tracy Cloninger spent the year trying to dissect her new squad as did the Lady Falcons their new coach.
“Last year they had to learn a whole new system and a whole new coach and whole new expectations,” said Cloninger. “That’s tough for teenage girls to make that transition.”
This season, Cloninger will adjust to the strengths of the Lady Falcons, as she will every year.
“Last year, I just went with what I was comfortable with as the year progressed,” explained Cloninger. “I learned what our assets and weaknesses were so we put our plan for this season together from that.”
It wasn’t hard to ascertain the skill set of 5-7 junior wing Bryna Minton.
“Bryna led us in scoring,” noted Cloninger. “She can do so many things. She’s played a lot of basketball, sees the court so well and is a very smart player.”
The Lady Falcons’ leading rebound returns in 5-10 senior Abby Hensley. She’ll be joined in the post by returning 5-10 classmate Lindsey Boyd.
Junior Chloe Salyer and Allie Parsons got significant minutes last year and will vie for a starting position.
At point, Cloninger will go with promising 5-4 freshman Atlee Dean.
“I know we’ll take hits with her being a freshmen, but she is still our best option,” explained Cloninger. “She’s a very scrappy player, works extremely hard. She came in this summer and made great strides.”
Cloninger will also count on contributions from Emma Bice, Kiersten Trent, Autumn Deal, Kenady Knittle, Tieran Whalen and Aliyah Crawley.
“Knowing more of me and what I expect, I’m hoping we can build some off of last year and continue to move forward,” said Cloninger. “I feel like we have every chance in the world to be in the top four of the conference.”
2017-18 Volunteer Lady Falcons
1 – Bryna Minton
5 – Emma Bice
10 – Chloe Salyer
12 – Kenady Knittle
13 – Allie Parsons
14 – Abby Hensley
20 – Tieran Whalen
21 – Lindsey Boyd
23 – Kiersten Trent
33 – Atlee Dean
34 – Aliyah Crawley
52 – Autumn Deal
2017-18 Volunteer Lady Falcons Schedule
November
16 – Unicoi County, 2:30 p.m.
18 – HOC at Sullivan South?
December
1 – at Cherokee, 6:30 p.m.
5 – David Crockett, 6:30 p.m.
8 – Sullivan South, 6:30 p.m.
12 – Sullivan East, 6:30 p.m.
14 – at Sevier County, 6:30 p.m.
21 – Cocke County, 6:30 p.m.
23 – Sevier County, 6:30 p.m.
27-30 – Hancock County Christmas Tournament
January
2 – at Sullivan East, 6:30 p.m.
5 – at Science Hill, 6:30 p.m.
9 – at Tennessee High, 6:30 p.m.
12 – at Daniel Boone, 6:30 p.m.
16 – Dobyns-Bennett, 6:30 p.m.
19 – Cherokee, 6:30 p.m.
23 – at David Crockett, 6:30 p.m.
26 – at Sullivan South, 6:30 p.m.
30 – Science Hill, 6:30 p.m.
February
2 – Tennessee High, 6:30 p.m.
6 – Daniel Boone, 6:30 p.m.
9 – at Dobyns-Bennett, 6:30 p.m.
12-17 – District 1-AAA Tournament at David Crockett
23 – Region 1-AAA Quarterfinals
26-28 – Region 1-AAA Tournament at Jefferson County