Fort Gay, W. Va. — Going into his 27th year as the Tolsia Lady Rebel Head Coach Ric Morrone ( 405-221 ) isn’t sure what to expect from his team that won 15 games last season but is just as excited as his rookie season.
2019-20 Lady Rebels
Taylor Ball 5-6 Senior
Lyndsie Wilson 5-6 Senior
Trinity Muncy 5-7 Senior
Madison Maynard 5-10 Senior
Julie Boone 6-0 Junior
Selena Browning 5-8 Junior
Kylea Pollinger 5-7 Junior
Izzy Simpkins 5-10 Junior
Kenzie Young 5-4 Junior
Jace Litton 5-10 Junior
Elizabeth Johnson 5-5 Junior
Becca Castle 5-9 Junior
Katelyn Kelly 5-8 Sophomore
Katie Marcum 6-0 Freshman
Autumn Block 5-6 Freshman
Kerigan Salmons 5-7 Freshman
Julie Young 5-7 Freshman
Destiny Pilkins 5-6 Freshman
The Lady Rebels lost four year star Sarah Jude who Coach Morrone calls one of the most versatile players to ever play at Tolsia but they return a steady senior group, good core of Juniors, a consistent Sophomore and a nice Freshman class.
Senior Trinity Muncy is a four year player who is a battling a foot injury. Juniors Selena Browning, Julie Boone, Kylea Pollinger, Jace Litton and Elizabeth Johnson all bring something to the table. Sophomore Katelyn Kelly has also been injured this preseason but should be ready for the start of the year. Freshman Katie Marcum, Autumn Block and Kerigan Salmons will all be in the rotation for the Lady Rebels.
Lady Rebel Seniors
Lady Rebel Juniors
Kenzie Young, Selena Browning, Julie Boone, Jace Litton, Elizabeth Johnson not pictured Kylea Pollinger, Becca Castle, Izzy Simpkins
Lady Rebel Sophomore
Lady Rebel Freshmen
2019-20 Tolsia Schedule
Dec 3 @ Cross Lanes Christian 5:30
Dec 6 BJM Classic vs Lawrence Co. 7:45
Dec 7 Grace Christian or Chapmanville
Dec 12 vs Covenant Christian 6:00
Dec 19-21 Smoky Mountain Classic @ Sevierville, Tennessee
Dec 27 vs Chesapeake, Oh at Ceredo-Kenova Community Center 7:00
Jan 9 @ Tug Valley
Jan 11 vs Poca 6:00
Jan 17 @ Grace Christian 7:00
Jan 18 WV Hit
Jan 22 @ Chesapeake, Ohio 7:00
Jan 24 vs Cross Lanes Christian 6:00
Jan 25 WV Hit
Jan 30 vs Tug Valley @ 7:00
Feb 1 WV Hit
Feb 4 @ Lawrence Co. @ 7:30
Feb 8 WV Hit
Feb 10 @ Covenant Christian @ 6:00
Feb 15 @ Chapmanville @ 7:00
Feb 17 @ Poca @ 7:00
Lady Rebel Head Coach Ric Morrone
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Our expectations don’t change from year to year, we want to show steady improvement throughout the year and get back to a state tournament. We feel that is a good goal for us.
“…That’s going to take some hard work but we feel like we have a good mix coming back with some new energy to our club. We lost Sarah Jude who will be a big loss she was a great player but an even better leader. We have some seniors who have been with us a while, Good group of juniors, Katelyn Kelly is our only sophomore but started and played a ton for us last year. I also like our freshman class as well. We are still trying to find our identity but I like were we are.”
“… From the first practice to now we have come along way. We have started to develop some team chemistry. Our schedule doesn’t allow us to ease into things because it’s tough from the beginning. I think our defense is ahead of our offense which is expected but we have made some perimeter shots in both scrimmages so that was good to see. The girls are working really hard to improve each day.”
“… We lost a ton of scoring last year and didn’t score a lot per game last season so scoring the basketball could be a challenge early on. Cross Lanes is a veteran group who we open with then we host the BJM Tournament which will always hold a special place in my heart. My Mom Barbara Morrone was a big advocate for girls sports in Wayne Co. and our region and coached a bunch of different sports at different schools for 30 years and is the reason I’m coaching today. It’s a community event to showcase girls basketball and raise money for a scholarship in her name. We play Lawrence Co. right off the bat with Chapmanville and Grace Christian on the other side of the bracket. We were fortunate enough to win it last year for the first time since 2010. The tourney this year is loaded and our girls will be looking forward to defending our title.”
“… After that we will make a trip to Tennessee for the Smoky Mountian Classic which is a prestigious tournament were we play three games in three days, stay in a hotel and just like you would at the state tourney. It’s good for is to get away and for the girls to play good competition and to bond as a team.”
