Lady Bulldogs to continue success under first-year head coach

For the Enquirer

Coach: Shane Childress (first season) First game: Nov. 7 at Danville Marquee home games (non-area): Nov. 16 vs.Bob Jones, Nov. 25 vs. Loretto (TN), Nov. 26 vs Wayne County (TN), Jan. 28 vs. Arab Area: Class 5A Area 16 Area opponents: Ardmore, Brewer, East Limestone 2023-24 record/finish: 19-12; Class 4A Northwest Regional Finals Roster: Seniors Lillyan Bloodworth, Leah Childress, Amberleigh Dean, Ella Hudson, Junior Josie Childress, Sophomores Chasity Black, Amidy Wilder, Madelyn Williams, Freshman Josi Langlois Returning starters: 1 – Lillyan Bloodworth Storylines: Priceville enters year one of the Shane Childress era. He replaces Terri Nelson who retired following 13 years of leading the Lady Bulldogs program. Priceville is coming off a trip to the Northwest Regional Finals, where they lost to eventual state champion Good Hope. Bloodworth is the only returning starter. Another potential returning starter is out due to knee surgery. The Bulldogs have two newcomers that will immediately make an impact in Leah and Josie Childress, daughters of Coach Childress. Returning to the varsity is Dean, Williams and Wilder.

Who do you expect to have a big year? Leah Childress. She is coming off an All-State year in 3A and now she needs to show it on a higher level. If she is able to improve on last season, then we will have our shot in the postseason.

Quoting coach: “Our team is in a major transition period. One of our main pieces, Abby Langlois, just had knee surgery to stop her knee cap from popping out of place. We will be young and inexperienced, making several mistakes now that won’t be covered as easily. It will be a work in progress.” What do the Lady Bulldogs need to do to be successful? “We have to continue to grow together as a team and do the little things like rebounding and playing defense. If we can do that, then we will have a great chance in the postseason.” Area outlook: “We move up in classification to 5A, but our competition will be familiar foes. I have a lot of familiarity with the Ardmore and East Limestone programs, having played them during the last two seasons. I am less familiar with Brewer, but I know historically they have been a great program. We look forward to this new challenge ahead of us.”