The 2022-23 basketball season for the ladies at Greenbrier West will never be forgotten.
For the first time since 1987, the Cavaliers captured the regional title and advanced to the state tournament in Charleston.
With the Cavaliers returning the bulk of that historic team, expectations for another state tournament run are extremely high this season.
“We take it day by day, but with the season we had last year and the experience that we have back, if you talk to the girls, that is their expectation,” head coach Mark Agee said about the postseason aspirations. “They want to go back to Charleston and the community expectations are high. When you get the community involved and everybody backing you, there is definitely a possibility of seeing it happen again.”
The key losses for Greenbrier West were point guard Ava Barclay and center Meagan Poticher who combined for roughly 16 points per night.
The good news for the Cavaliers is they do have capable players that can step in to fill those vacated roles.
Hannah Sweet, Brilee Redden and Haylee Ward, along with an incoming freshman, will provide depth up top for Greenbrier West.
“Hannah will be a leader for us and she has already stepped into that role,” Agee said. “Brilee Redden will also help us at the point guard position along with Haylee. I have a freshman coming up, Maddie Sweet, Hannah’s sister, which has been very impressive so far. It is hard to hide an athlete and as the season goes, she could see some playing time.”
Redden scored eight points per game for the Cavaliers as a freshman and was a pest on defense with three steals each night.
Junior Abigail Thomas was a standout in the middle last year coming off the bench to spell Poticher. Thomas averaged nearly nine points per game, but was also a force on defense and an aggressive rebounder.
“We have multiple players that can contribute for us both on the defensive end and and on the scoring end,” Agee said. “With the speed we have, if we can stay healthy, that will help us in the long run too.”
Preslee Treadway returns as the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, averaging nearly a double-double. The junior all-stater scored 13.8 points per game and grabbed 8.3 rebounds.
Agee expects even more production out of his multi-sport standout this year.
“She has already stepped up to be a leader this year as far making sure everybody is getting along and is on the same page,” Agee said. “Her skill level has really improved just in the first week of practice in comparison to last year.”
Fellow junior Maddie Fields also had a breakout season last year averaging just under 10 points per game. Field also grabbed four rebounds per game and led the team with four steals.
Two more juniors, Lacey Walker and Keylee Clere are expected to see solid minutes in the post for the Cavaliers.
“I feel like the girls have high expectations for themselves. So far in practice, and in the first scrimmage with Nicholas (County), they have working their rear ends off,” Agee said. “I think they are wanting it again this year.”
While Greenbrier West will litter the floor with talent, an even bigger factor will be the maturity level the team possesses along with valuable postseason experience.
“Now they know what we are doing and what we expect on offense and defense. They don’t have to second guess themselves. Maturity is a big thing from year to year along with the difference that is makes,” Agee said. “That bond has to be there. If you have players that don’t work together and have that bond, things are not going to work out. This team does have great chemistry.”
The Cavaliers open the season with a couple of regional foes. West will travel to James Monroe Nov. 28, before returning home to battle River View on Dec. 1.
