The Commercial Appeals Dandy Dozen

1. Southaven
Coach: David Baldwin
Record last season: 29-3
Outlook: After reaching the state semifinals last season, nothing less than a championship will suffice for the Chargers. And they have the potential to go far, with all five starters returning. Senior posts Jasmine Joyner (Chattanooga) and Aliyah Miller (Providence) and senior guard Joanna Smith (Buffalo) are all Division 1 players while juniors Queen Hayes and Olivia Cunningham will be starting for the third year. Joyner is the leader, averaging 11 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks per game last season.
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2. Overton
Coach: Lynn Smith
Record last season: 30-3
Outlook: The Wolverines — who have reached the AAA state semifinals four straight years — were hit hard by graduation but have a returning star to build around. She's Georgetown-bound senior Kelsey Briggs, an athletic 6-1 wing who provides a very difficult matchup for most teams. Philecia Atkins will provide the shooting and Amber Holmes and Erin Wilson, transfers from Southwind, will help too.
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3. Central
Coach: Niki Bray
Record last season: 24-8
Outlook: The Lady Warriors will be looking for their fifth straight state tournament bid after losing in the quarterfinals to Clarksville last season. Three starters are gone but Central can call on the area's top performer, senior Nina Davis. A two-time Best of the Preps player of the year and a Miss Basketball finalist last year, the Baylor signee averaged 19.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game last season. Keys for Central will be the health of talented junior Tia Wooten, who missed part of last season with a knee injury, and how quickly last year's reserves adjust to their increased playing time.
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4. Briarcrest Christian
Coach: Lee Smith
Record last season: 26-4
Outlook: Despite losing Miss Basketball finalist Lauren Douglas (Northwestern), the Saints will be a strong favorite to make it back to the Division 2-AA state tournament. Sophomore Elise Holden (8 ppg., 3 rpg) and senior Erin Dunseath (5 ppg., 2 spg) are returning starters while seniors Bailey Kramer and Rachel Peete should thrive with more playing time. But the player to watch is junior Jasmine Cincore, a transfer from Central who has the potential to be a star in D2.
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5. Horn Lake
Coach: Janna Lyons
Record last season: 25-5
Outlook: Three starters are gone from last year's team but Lyons has plenty to build upon. Senior Brittany Grant is a three-year starter at guard while sophomore point guard Alondrea Rush excelled as a freshman starter last year. Sophomore center Alexyse Thomas is another returnee to keep an eye on.
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6. Memphis Home Education Association
Coach: Tracy Rice
Record last season: 38-4
Outlook: The Eagles will be led by one of the area's top players in sophomore Torri Lewis. The 5-10 sophomore guard is already on colleges' radar thanks to her great shooting and ability to get to the basket. But it's not just a one-girl show; Bailey Wilkes scored 19 in a win over Millington last week and sisters Sara and Emily Lytle will also contribute heavily.
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7. Munford
Coach: Steve Poindexter
Record last season: 19-10
Outlook: The Cougars should be very competitive, returning all five starters from last year's team that advanced to the region semifinals. Leading the way is District 13-AAA MVP Robneisha Lee, who averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals per contest. Senior guard Shaliyah Wiggins also averaged in double figures while senior guard Lauren Zvolanek is a tough defender on the perimeter.
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8. Manassas
Coach: Tommy Warren
Record last season: 31-4
Outlook: The Tigers have made two straight trips to the Class AA state tournament, losing in the first round each time. The goal now will be to win a game in Murfreesboro. Manassas will be led by one of the city's top players, versatile 6-0 senior Tiffany Jones. Phikala Anthony is another dependable scorer but last year's reserves will need to grow up in a hurry.
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9. Harding Academy
Coach: Becky Starks
Record last season: 23-8
Outlook: The Lady Lions will go as far as senior Kaylah Keys will take them, which last year was the sub-state round of the Division 2-A playoffs. Keys, a two-time Miss Basketball finalist, averaged 23 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game last year and figures to at least match those totals. Junior guard Megan Murphy is the other returning starter for Starks' team, which should be tough to beat come playoff time.
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10. Millington
Coach: Bruce Marshall
Record last season: 17-15
Outlook: The Trojans should be a much improved team this year, with four starters returning from a team that lost in the first round of the regionals. Leading the way is 6-3 post presence Tiara Caldwell, who will play at Tennessee-Martin. Senior Treasure Reading will also help out inside, while Kendra Richardson and Erin Clark offer backcourt experience.
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11. Fayette Academy
Coach: Rick Sullivan
Record last season: 29-2
Outlook: Despite losing seven seniors, including all-state performer Samantha Reeves (now at CBU), Sullivan likes his team, calling it the "most athletic" he's had at the school. Senior point guard Emily Reeves, who averaged 13 points and 6 assists per game last season, will be counted on heavily as the Vikings look to make another run to the Division 2-A state tournament.
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12. Covington
Coach: Dion Real
Record last season: 24-11
Outlook: Real said his girls are recharged after last season and ready to make a run to at least the sub-state round. Junior guard Precious Harvery (12 ppg.) and senior guard Precious Dyson (8 ppg.) return to lead the Chargers' up-tempo, get-after-it attack. Transfer Ashia Jones will also be a key contributor.