There will be a youth movement for the Nacogdoches Lady Dragons on the basketball court this season.

Despite only graduating two seniors — Meocian Pleasant and Niesha Simon — from last year's squad that went 12-20 and 5-5 in District 14-4A play, 70 percent of the Lady Dragons' roster this season will be underclassmen, incliuding three freshmen and four sophomores.

Nacogdoches has two seniors, both who play key roles.

Chelsea Leeder is a four-year varsity starter who averaged 19.3 points per game as a junior, and Yevonne Stearn is the returning starter at point guard. She averaged 8.1 points and had 90 assists last season.

"It really helps to have Chelsea back," Nacogdoches head coach Deatrick Stigall said. "She brings a lot to our team. She loves basketball. Her athleticism and love for the game helps a lot.

"Yevonne is very helpful," Stigall said. "She is a leader, and she directs where we need to be. Having her and Chelsea back will give us a good combo of experience and fresh faces."

One of the freshmen who Stigall expects to make an immediate impact is Charity Page. At 6-3, Page gives the Lady Dragons something they lacked last season, a player taller than 6-0 to play in the middle.

"With her height, she will be a major factor for us early," the coach said. "She has soft hands and is a great rebounder. She will give us more of an inside game this season."

The Lady Dragons will look to be an up-tempo team that turns opponents' turnovers into easy scoring opportunities.

Leeder is the team's No. 1 scoring option, but like last season, she could see a lot of double-and-triple-teams. The Lady Dragons will need other players to chip in with scoring. Stigall said that freshman Cheliya Lathan and junior Janessa Gaddis are two players that shoot the ball well.

Size will be an issue, but speed and defense could be key in making the Lady Dragons contenders for the 14-4A title.

"I definitely think we will be a pretty good team," Stigall said. "Once our younger players get comfortable and get used to playing at this level, we will get better. It's a big difference from playing in eighth grade than it is playing on varsity. I expect some growing pains, but we will have to adjust."

The Lady Dragons open the season against Lufkin Hudson at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Hudson.

Roster

Yevonne Stearn, senior; Janessa Gaddis, freshman; TyKejah Hall, sophomore; Shaniqua Forest, sophomore; Cheliya Lathan, freshman; Alex Mayfield, freshman; Dedra Stearn, sophomore; Chelsea Leeder, senior; Charity Page, freshman; and Jishidra Stegall, sophomore.

Schedule

Nov. 9: at Hudson, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 13: Hallsville, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 17: Huntington, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 20: at Diboll, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 23: Pine Tree, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 30: Livingston, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3-5: Winnsboro Tournament

Dec. 8: Central, 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 10-12: Fairfield Tournament

Des. 18: at Lufkin, 7 p.m.

Dec. 28-30: Tyler Grace Tournament

Jan. 5: at Whitehouse, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8: at Kilgore, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12: at Henderson, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15: Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19: at Lindale, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22: Whitehouse, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26: Kilgore, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 29: Henderson, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2: at Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5: Lindale, 7:30 p.m.