Lady Chiefs Happy to Join Challenging Big 7 in 2017-18
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
November 14, 2017
It’s back to the future for the Cherokee Lady Chiefs, whose move into District 1-AAA for the 2017-18 season will renew acquaintances with many foes from the early days of Lady Chiefs basketball.
“It’s going to be exciting,” said Cherokee coach Jason Lawson. “We get to play a lot of teams we’ve not played in a long time, kind of renew some old rivalries that existed back in the 1980’s and 1990’s.”
Lawson said the transition has been a smooth one thus far.
“They’ve welcomed us in and made us feel like we’ve been in the Big 7 the whole time,” added Lawson. “It’s definitely going to be a change of pace for us. We hope to fit in and represent the league the best way we can.”
Lawson feels the Lady Chiefs are well stocked for their entrance into the league. Cherokee returns four starters including 6-1 senior post Brittany Nielson.
“The Big 7 is known for its post play and have always had good post play,” noted Lawson. “That helps us out having her coming into a league known for its play at that position.”
Lawson said the Lady Chief offense will run through Neilsen as much as possible.
“We’ll try to get it into her as much as we can,” added Lawson. “And when she gets it three feet from the basket we have to have two points.”
The back court is also well seasoned beginning with junior and three-year starter Harper Russell at point guard.
The 5-9 Russell came in as a much heralded cross country and track performer, but has been dually effective on the hardwood.
“Harper has started every game since she came in,” said Lawson. “She works really hard on basketball as well as running, spends a lot time training for both.”
While running the team, Russell has also tallied over 750 career points in just two seasons.
“She’s been really solid for us,” continued Lawson. “Hopefully we’ll get that production continuing out of her.”
Returning at the wings are 5-8 junior Kennedy Cowan and 5-2 senior Keely Henard. Matalin Goines, a 5-8 junior guard, also started several times last year due to injuries.
“Our starting line-up has played a lot of minutes which also is a positive coming into a new conference,” noted Lawson.
The first group, however, won’t log all the minutes.
“Keeping our players fresh will be huge,” said Lawson. “We can max our output if we can be more efficient with our minutes instead of riding the same horses every day.
“I’ve experienced that if you play eight or nine every night, you’ll have a more successful and a more healthy season.”
Off the bench, Lawson will count on 5-8 junior Kara Alvis, 5-11 senior post Jada Livesay and 5-8 senior Kirsten Henson.
“Kara has really developed her game and will be big off the bench,” added Lawson. “Jada and Kirsten will be big in giving Neilsen a break.”
Cherokee’s depth also give Lawson some options to force a certain pace or match a certain style of play.
“We can go big and slow it down in the halfcourt or we can go four guards with one post and pick up the tempo,” explained Lawson. “That will be one of our advantages this season. We can adjust to just about any style of play.”
2017-18 Cherokee Lady Chiefs
3 – Harper Russell, 5-9, JR, G
4 – Lydia Alvis, 5-7, FR, G
5 – Lauren Smith, 5-8, JR, W
10 – Kennedy Cowan, 5-8, JR, G
11 – Kara Alvis, 5-8, JR, W
12 – Keely Henard, 5-2, SR, G
20 – Jada Livesay, 5-11, SR, P
21 – Chloe Weems, 5-3, JR, G
22 – Destiny Jarnigan, 5-9, FR, W
23 – Kirsten Henson, 5-8, SR, P
30 – Hannah Collins, 5-11, JR, P
32 – Brittany Nielsen, 6-1, SR, P
33 – Matalin Goins, 5-8, JR, G
2017-18 Cherokee Lady Chiefs Schedule
November
14 – Hancock County (HOC), 6:30 p.m.
16 – Elizabethton (HOC), 6:00 p.m.
20-25 – Greene County Thanksgiving Classic
27 – at Sullivan South, 6:30 p.m.
December
1 – Volunteer, 6:30 p.m.
5 – at Daniel Boone, 6:30 p.m.
8 – at Tennessee High, 6:00 p.m.
9 – Grainger, 5:00 p.m.
11 – at Cocke County, 7:00 p.m.
15 – Sullivan South, 6:30 p.m.
16 – Morristown West, 3:00 p.m.
26-30 – Hancock County Christmas Tournament
January
5 – Dobyns-Bennett, 6:30 p.m.
9 – at Morristown West, 7:15 p.m.
11 – at Grainger, 7:00 p.m.
12 – David Crockett, 6:30 p.m.
16 – Science Hill, 6:00 p.m.
19 – at Volunteer, 6:30 p.m.
23 – Daniel Boone, 6:30 p.m.
26 – Tennessee High, 6:00 p.m.
30 – at Dobyns-Bennett, 6:30 p.m.
February
1 – Cocke County, 6:00 p.m.
6 – at David Crockett, 6:30 p.m.
9 – at Science Hill, 6:00 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