Two years back, the Greenbrier West girls basketball team made history winning a regional title for the first time since 1987.
Last year the Cavaliers were one game away from a second consecutive trip to the state tournament before being upset in the regional co-final by River View.
Greenbrier West head coach Mark Agee says his 2024-25 team is highly motivated and ready to make another trip to the big show inside the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center in March.
“I have six seniors that we are calling the super-6, and they will all get playing time,” Agee said. “They are good kids that want to work hard and they work together. The chemistry is really good.”
The preseason for the Cavaliers has been a little unsettling with the delay in the volleyball state tournament which was moved to Dec. 2-3 due court litigation.
While the delay has been disruptive, Agee does not see it as a big problem for his team.
“The volleyball players are coming to practice, but I am not letting the scrimmage or anything like that,” Agee said. I didn’t schedule my first game until Dec. 10.
One of the volleyball players is senior all-stater Preslee Treadway who is back to lead the Cavaliers, coming off of a record-breaking junior season where she averaged 21 points per game.
In the regional clash back in March, Treadway exploded for a school record 46 points, while playing on a bad ankle.
“Preslee knows pretty much what she is doing. She has worked during the off-season. She goes to a guy and works all summer,” Agee said. “In our shooting and dribbling drills you can see how another year of maturity has done a lot for her. She came out the other night and was nailing shots from everywhere.”
The point guard position will be have a slightly different look with the graduation of Hannah Sweet. Junior softball hurler Brilee Redden will step into a more prominent role up top this year.
“Brilee is feeling more comfortable this year. Her floor vision is much better and she has been shooting the ball really well,” Agee said. “I also have Haylee Ward back and she can handle the ball as well. Haylee coming back for us is huge. Her attitude is great. Her attack to the basket has been great.”
Another softball standout, Maddie Fields, who averaged 12 points per game as a junior, is primed for a solid senior season as well.
“Maddie can play down on the post for us and also step out and play guard for us. We will likely start her out in the post with Preslee,” Agee said. “In our rotation of things, to give her a break and then give our guards a break, she will being playing a little guard too. I am excited about her for sure because she can create some mismatches for us.”
Lacey Walker and Keylee Clere saw valuable minutes last year and will add more depth to the Greenbrier West line-up.
“Lacey played some wing for us last year. Her ball-handling and shooting has improved, along with her floor vision,” Agee said. ” Keylee will be coming off the bench to help us in the post. She has also improved her skills.”
Juniors Kenna Fields, Maddie’s younger sister, and Samantha Holliday are also expected to play key roles this year.
“Kenna is more of a guard that can shoot and that is her strength. She will play a good bit and we will play her a little JV as a point guard,” Agee said. “Sam is one of those players that gets really aggressive under the basket. She will play both guard and post for us.”
Along with filling the point guard spot, Agee will look for someone to take over for senior Abigail Thomas who will miss the season with a knee injury.
“We still miss Abigail Thomas, she was probably the second leading rebounder on the team last year,” Agee said. “I have eight girls right now that I am hoping will be in the rotation. That will help us in the long run if we can get them all onboard because it is hard to play only five or six girls when you are pressing four quarters. We like to play up-tempo.”
Greenbrier West opens the season at Midland Trail.
