Bloomington



Coach: Sondra Sisson, 4th season (3-year record 55-23)

2006-07 record: 19-6

(12-1 in Big 12 Conference)

Returning letterwinners: Kendra Gay, G, Sr., 5-8 (7.8 ppg); Amanda Hainlen, F, So., 6-0 (6.5 ppg); Teasha Harris, G, So., 5-7 (6.2 ppg); Brooke Holtz, G, Sr., 5-7; Katy Malinowski, G, Sr., 5-6; Allie Veitengruber, F, Sr., 5-6.

Newcomers to watch: Nichelle Harrison, G, Jr, 5-4; Shaneice Bell, C, So., 5-11; Ashley Brown, G, Jr., 5-6.

FYI: The offense (55.6 ppg) ranked second in the area last year, but 75 percent of those points are gone as BHS looks to replace Missouri-St. Louis recruit Kelly Carter (14.2 ppg) and Illinois-Chicago recruit Kristin Petrinec (13.2 ppg). BHS might be tougher to scout as four players look to share the scoring load. Speed will be a strength as the reigning Intercity Tournament champion Purple Raiders try to score off steals with help from Harris, who averaged 3.2. Gay and Holtz were starters on an eighth-grade state title team coached by Sisson. Hainlen, who averaged 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks, ranked second in the area in free throw percentage at .820. BHS lost four key players who chose to specialize in other sports in Latrice Wood (softball), Heidi Hayward (softball), Chelsea Batty (softball) and Allison Kirk (volleyball).

Quoting: “We’ve won two Big 12 titles in a row. That’s definitely a goal to get that third one,” said Sisson, who rates Urbana and Mattoon as other contenders