The 2016-17 Gallatin Lady Bulldog basketball team includes, front row, from left: Janee Filbeck, Sami Boyd, Taylor Sloan, Courtney Shubert and Megan Cox; second row: Kaia Mehlberg (mgr.), Briar Roll, Hayley Michael, Cora Stout, Shaunessey Eaton and Bethany Bailey (mgr.); back row: Coach Chad Sullenger, Libby Endicott (mgr.), Taylor Greene, Maelea Coulson, Kelsey Maxwell, Karley Salmon, Madalyn Shubert, Macie McNeely, and Coach Courtney Ray.
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Gallatin may have lost four seniors to graduation, but the cupboard is far from being bare for second-year Lady Bulldog basketball coach Chad Sullenger.
The Lady Bulldogs, who finished 15-12 overall and 6-3 in the Grand River Conference last season, welcome back at least a dozen players with varsity experience, which promises a strong starting lineup and solid bench for the upcoming campaign.
“We have good depth again this year, with the opportunity to play a number of players,” says Coach Sullenger. “We also have good size, with six players standing 5’10” or better, with a mix of good ball handlers,” he adds.
Gallatin opens the season next Tuesday at home against Pattonsburg, which is moving on from last season’s loss to Winston in the Class 1, District 14 championship game.
Six-foot, senior center Taylor Sloan returns to the post for the Lady Bulldogs. She led the team in rebounding last season and was the Lady Bulldogs’ third leading scorer. She was an all-GRC second team performer last season.
Senior Sami Boyd and junior Hayley Michael saw plenty of playing time at guard positions a season ago. Juniors Megan Cox, Courtney Shubert, Cora Stout, Janee Filbeck and Maelea Coulson, likewise, gained valuable experience as post players. Sophomore Karley Salmon made the most of her freshman season on the varsity roster as a solid rebounder and shooter.
Juniors Briar Roll and Shaunessey Eaton and sophomore Kelsey Maxwell also return for the Lady Bulldogs. Newcomers to the squad include sophomore Taylor Greene and freshmen Madalyn Shubert and Macie McNeely.
“Any of the players that are on the floor can be a leading scorer for us on any given night,” Coach Sullenger said. “I feel we have an opportunity to be competitive with teams in our area.”
GIT Outlook
Defending champion Trenton returns a strong squad to the 40th Annual Gallatin Invitational Tournament, which tips off Monday, Nov. 28. The black and gold Lady Bulldogs have won three of the last four GIT championships and now they hope to transfer that success to the newly-formed Grand River Conference East Division. Included in returnees is 2015 tournament MVP Whitley Richman.
Gallatin finished runnerup in last season’s tournament and should garner a high seed in this year’s event on the strength of last year’s finish and the promise of a strong roster to begin the season.
Graduation hit third place Gilman City hard, but the Lady Hawks return leading scorer Hailey Burrows. Gilman City’s lineup is bolstered by three players from North Daviess.
Winston loses three starters from a year ago but returns senior leader Josie McFee and post season standout sophomore Sophie Pliley.
Hardin-Central joins the GIT field this year with its top seven players back from last season’s 13-12 team.
Maysville fields a young team, with only three returning varsity players, no seniors and only a pair of juniors. Sophomore Cat Whiteman is the lone returning starter.
Braymer lost a pair of outstanding guards and with that much of its scoring punch from a season ago.
Polo returns a more experienced team that a year ago when only one senior played.