Pike County Central head basketball coach Derrick Newsome says his team’s third straight 20-win season one year ago could be attributed to half-court defensive pressure.
He hopes the trend continues in what will be his sixth season at the helm.
“It’s pretty simple for us this season, we’ve got to lock people down on the defensive end…that was our staple,” he said. “And we must do a good job of rebounding.”
He returns four key players from last year, Kelsi Brinager, Chloe Neece, Bailey Birchfield and Lexi Newsome.
Newsome says he will count heavily on newcomer exchange student Anna Carnell, freshman Hannah May and sophomore Sarah Justice to provide the lift needed to keep this program on top.
The Lady Hawks opened the season Dec. 2.
Pike Central schedule
Dec. 2 Martin County Home
Dec. 3 Pikeville Away
Dec. 5 Betsy Layne Away
Dec. 9, 12, 14 Mountain Classic Away
Clay County, TBA, TBA at Knott Central
Dec. 17 Shelby Valley Away
Dec. 20-21 Pike Central Classic Home
Lynn Camp, North Laurel
Dec. 23 Hazard Away
Dec. 27-30 Sunshine Classic Away
TBA, TBA, TBA, Daytona, Fla.
Jan. 3, 6, 10 Kentucky 2A championship
Magoffin County, TBA, TBA, STBD
Jan. 14 Lawrence County Home
Jan. 16 Phelps Home
Jan. 24 Belfry Home
Jan. 25 Lady Hawk 1-day Showcase
Knott County Central Home
Jan. 27 East Ridge Home
Jan. 28 Martin County Away
Feb. 3 Belfry Away
Feb. 5 Pikeville Home
Feb. 6 Mt. Mission, Va. Home
Feb. 8 Phelps Away
Feb. 11 Letcher Central Home
Feb. 13 Johnson Central Home
Feb. 18 Magoffin County Away
Feb. 21 Paintsville Home