Pictured above are the eight seniors for the New Albany Lady Bulldog Basketball Team:  front row:  Nyambi Penson and Porche White; middle row Marquita Young and Caroline Stroud; back row:  Kebrina Lucas, Jasmine Knox, Micha Washington, and Paris Sanders.

The New Albany Lady Bulldog Basketball team is ranked #1 in the state in all classifications according the Clarion Ledger Preseason Poll that was released earlier this month.  Weekly polls should begin to be released by the Clarion Ledger next month.

According to Head Coach John Stroud, the preseason polls are based on last year’s performance, last year’s records, and returning players.  “We were ranked #1 for four straight weeks in last year’s Clarion Ledger Polls and it is wonderful for us to receive these preseason honors.”

The Lady Bulldogs have eight seniors on the team and are returning all their starters from last season.  The starting line up includes:  Sophomore 5’11” Forward Jazmine Spears; Senior 6’1” Center Micha Washington; 5’6” Forward Nyambi Penson; Senior 5’6” Guard Kebrina Lucas; and Senior 5’4” Guard Porche White.  Spears and Washington were named to the 2010 All State Tournament Team. 

Spears was selected to the Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen Team.  This team includes the top twelve players from the state and Spears was the only sophomore in the state chosen for the honor.  This recognition is based on newspaper opinion, stats, college coaches, and summer play.  “This is quite an honor for Jazmine and we are very proud of her,” Stroud said.  The only other player from the northeast Mississippi area to be selected to the Dandy Dozen is New Site Senior Krystal Jackson. 

The Lady Bulldogs are off to a 3-0 start that includes wins over Ingomar, Myrtle, and Kossuth.  They face a tough schedule in the coming two weeks as they take on Columbus, a 6A team; Ripley, ranked #1 in 3A classification; Newton, the 2010 2A State Champs; and Briarcrest, a team out of Memphis that frequently makes the playoffs in the Tennessee state tournament. 

Coach Stroud says he does not necessarily see another undefeated season going into the state tournament like last year.  “Our team needs to be challenged during regular season play,” he said.  “Our schedule is more difficult this year so that we can be more prepared for post season play.”

Pictured below:  Sophomore Forward Jazmine Spears (#11) is the only sophomore in the state to be named to the Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen.