The Lady Indians must replace the scoring of Isis Dewberry this season. Ledger Sports Editor

Gaffney girls’ basketball coach Roger Patterson hopes experience and an up-tempo style of play will offset the team’s major weakness - shooting.

“Right now, we aren’t a good shooting team,” said Patterson, whose Lady Indians open their season Tuesday against Spartanburg. “But our defense and experience should be our strengths this season.”

The Lady Indians, who finished a disappointing 6-12 a year ago, must replace one of the team’s leading scorers, guard Isis Dewberry.

“Other than Isis, we have everybody back,” he said.

That includes Latoya Robbs, who’ll play point guard.

“She’s real quick and our best ballhandler,” Patterson said.

Junior Shan Sims and sophomore Tiffany Dukes will also see time at the point.

Shirley Armstrong, probably the team’s best defender, joins sharp-shooting Breanna Watkins at the shooting guard.

Tiffany Posey, Shameka Foster and Jessica Shippy will man the forward positions.

Shippy, the state champion in the long jump, is one of the team’s most physical players, according to Patterson.

“She’s a great athlete and real aggressive underneath the basket,” he said.

Doristean Norris, one of the team’s most improved players a year ago, will start at center.

Shelise Ratchford, another key inside player, is out with an injured ankle.

“We are a more mature team this season,” Patterson said. “It’s a good group of girls who work hard.”

Rock Hill and Northwestern are expected to be near the top of the Region III-4A standings, Patterson said.

“This is a tough region we’re in now,” he said. “Rock Hill and Northwestern are very good teams every year. But I think we are a better team than we were last year.”