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Thoughts on the conference this year?

I predict that the league title will go to Hillsboro this year. They return most of their team from a season ago and will be led by senior Blake Herdman, Addison Miles and Kobie Miles. This is a solid trio, each of whom can get double figures on any given night. McClain will have a solid team as well as they return a good core led by sophomore Paisley Pryor. Pryor was a top 5 player in the FAC last season as a freshman. Chillicothe, Jackson and Miami Trace all feature new head coaches for this season. I think Jackson will be a couple notches down from where they have been the last few years, but they will play hard and be competitive in the league in my opinion. Coach Carpenter is very familiar with the program obviously, and it will not be long before he has the Ironladies back competing for league championships. Chillicothe had a couple talented underclassmen last year, so it will interesting to see how Coach Benson does in year one. Miami Trace in my opinion has one of the better guards in the area in sophomore Gracie Lovett. She is a great piece for Coach Day to build around. Sophomore Lauren Guess is a very talented forward as well and is another key part of the lineup. The Lady Panthers will have a pretty young team but will be competitive across the board. Washington returns most of their scoring from a season ago and will be improved from last season. Maggi Wall and Calee Ellars are two of the better shooters in the area and they will have a strong post presence with Peyton Hughes. I think they will finish somewhere in the middle of the FAC.

My standings predictions for the 2024-25 season:

Hillsboro 16-6 (8-2)
McClain 15-7 (7-3)
Miami Trace 13-9 (5-5)
Washington 12-10 (4-6)
Chillicothe 9-13 (3-7)
Jackson 7-15 (2-8)

It has been rumored that Blake Herdman from Hillsboro has decided not to play this year. Not sure how true this is, but this would be a big blow to the Indians chances at a league title. One of their main scorers and rebounders the past 3 seasons.

veer wrote: Wed Nov 06, 2024 9:22 am It has been rumored that Blake Herdman from Hillsboro has decided not to play this year. Not sure how true this is, but this would be a big blow to the Indians chances at a league title. One of their main scorers and rebounders the past 3 seasons.

Wow, that would indeed be a big blow. I noticed this fall that she was not playing volleyball or soccer and was golfing. Felt like she could have helped the volleyball or soccer teams more than the golf team but that's just my opinion. If she does not play, I would have to give the nod to McClain as the possible FAC Champs. Peighton Bledsoe is a Lady Indians player I forgot to mention. She was All-FAC last season and will be a big part of the team's success this year.

Overall the league should be very competitive, maybe the most competitive it has ever been.

I'm thinking:
1. Hillsboro/McClain
3. Chillicothe
4. Washington
5. Jackson
6. Miami Trace

RUMORS (but from credible sources):
Guess not playing basketball (MT).
Could be Lovett's last year playing for MT.

TrueFan wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2024 1:02 pm I'm thinking:
1. Hillsboro/McClain
3. Chillicothe
4. Washington
5. Jackson
6. Miami Trace

RUMORS (but from credible sources):
Guess not playing basketball (MT).
Could be Lovett's last year playing for MT.

I had not heard that, but I did hear that 3-time FAC Volleyball Player of the Year Addyson Butts is playing this year. I think that could potentially be a pretty big addition for the Lady Panthers. Losing Guess would be a pretty big loss for sure.

Any word on scrimmages and how those are looking so far?

FACSPORTS wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2024 10:47 am

veer wrote: Wed Nov 06, 2024 9:22 am It has been rumored that Blake Herdman from Hillsboro has decided not to play this year. Not sure how true this is, but this would be a big blow to the Indians chances at a league title. One of their main scorers and rebounders the past 3 seasons.

Wow, that would indeed be a big blow. I noticed this fall that she was not playing volleyball or soccer and was golfing. Felt like she could have helped the volleyball or soccer teams more than the golf team but that's just my opinion. If she does not play, I would have to give the nod to McClain as the possible FAC Champs. Peighton Bledsoe is a Lady Indians player I forgot to mention. She was All-FAC last season and will be a big part of the team's success this year.

Overall the league should be very competitive, maybe the most competitive it has ever been.

Herdman definitely should have played soccer or volleyball, sports that she didn’t play as a junior. I agree.

I think McClain is the better choice. They split with Hillsboro last year and they have a good returning group. And I think girls make their biggest jumps in their first two years so Pryor could be much much better. I have heard the same about Herdman not playing so that would make the choice even more certain. I do think Jackson may be better than expected - they will not challenge for the top of the league but they will win some games.

McClain 50
WCH 23

Jackson 30
MT 49

Chillicothe 48
Hillsboro 69

On tap for tomorrow:

WCH @ Hillsboro

MT @ Chillicothe

McClain @ Jackson

I'll take Hillsboro, MT and McClain.

MT 47
Chillicothe 27

WCH 26
Hillsboro 51

McClain 53
Jackson 23

McClain 45
MT 36

Chillicothe 26
WCH 44

Hillsboro 56
Jackson 33

My standings predictions for the 2024-25 season:

Hillsboro 16-6 (8-2)
McClain 15-7 (7-3)
Miami Trace 13-9 (5-5)
Washington 12-10 (4-6)
Chillicothe 9-13 (3-7)
Jackson 7-15 (2-8)

Current Standings:

McClain 17-1 (7-0)
Hillsboro 16-2 (8-1)
Miami Trace 10-7 (5-3)
Washington 9-8 (3-5)
Chillicothe 1-16 (1-7)
Jackson 0-17 (0-8)

The FAC Championship game will be this Saturday at McClain. Hillsboro should be playing for a share of the title while McClain should be playing for a gold ball. The first matchup between the two came down to the wire, so I'm expecting another great game this weekend!

Congrats to Jackson for getting into the win column tonight!

Never want to see a team go winless, especially in a season as long as basketball, so I’m glad the Ironladies were able to earn a much needed victory.

Hillsboro at McClain should be a fun one on Saturday! SOSA will be live-streaming that one.