New-look Lady Saints ready to open season

The Limestone women's basketball team will run to a different beat this year.

Coach Corey Fox has handed over the starting point guard duties to freshman Lauren Pace.

"She started from day one," Fox said. "She is our best point guard. She's a good shooter and she played on a winning team."

Fox will go with a four-guard lineup that emphasizes speed, quickness and dribble penetration. Pace will be joined in the backcourt by former Boiling Springs standout Breanna Ray, who Fox describes as a great defender and the team's most improved player.

Former all-conference guard Blanca Gonzalez returns after missing last season with an injury.

"We are happy to have her back," Fox said. Brittney Miller, a junior college transfer and another good defender, also will start in the backcourt.

The Lady Saints will be inexperienced upfront where 6-0 freshman Jessica Hart is slated to start today's opener against Mars Hill.

Whitney Todd and one of the team's best perimeter shooters, Tierney Burdett, and freshman Shanna Cubitt will add depth. Burdett and Todd also add size at 5-11.

Returning center Addie Graves is hobbled with an injury.

Despite losing Monica Adams, Tiffany Jones, Lindsay Kyle, Shelly Robinson and Ariel Lyons, which combined for about 45 points, Fox said he's looking for big things from this year's team.

"All of our guards can drive and shoot the ball," he said. "It's going to be tough for the other teams to match up with us."

The Lady Saints were picked to finish sixth in a vote of the conference coaches. But Fox expects his team to challenge for one of the top spots.

"If we can stay healthy, we can win it," the Limestone coach said.

LIMESTONE TO HONOR NATIONAL CHAMPS

The college will honor its 2008 national champions at halftime of today's women's basketball game against Mars Hill. The game will begin at 6 p.m.