It’s about time for some basketball! We present you with a team-by-team preview to get you up to date on where each school stands heading into the 2026-27 season. Team Previews are presented by My GA Credit Union!

Head Coach: DeeDee Dillard (21st Season)
2025-26 Record/Results: 24-6; Region RU (Reg Season Champs); Elite 8

The best to ever do has one of her most complete rosters to date. This version of the Lady Wildcats gives coaching legend DeeDee Dillard all she needs to make a deep run – experience, talent, outside shooting, inside physicality, and a will to win.

PERSONNEL & STYLE OF PLAY

# of Returning Starters: 3

Key Players: AddyBeth Owens, Adelyn Thompson, Millie Southards, Cheyenne Queen, Jaydynn Cohee, Zara Gosse (transfer from White County), Morgan Lovell, Sayler Watson, Irie McElroy

Key Departures: Madison Houck, Conley Spivey, Loren Mazarky, Hannah Beers, Chloe Shirley

Offensive Style: “Up-tempo when possible but also looking for more discipline in our half-court execution in order to utilize our depth at the post position,” says Dillard.

STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES

Strengths: “Team chemistry, veteran leadership, and scoring versatility.”

Biggest Challenges: “We do have some experienced players returning, but we are also going to be dependent on several younger players who will have to contribute valuable minutes for us – developing their skill set and confidence level will be key for us.”

EXPECTATIONS

From the Coach: “Our main expectation is to focus on the process and trust that doing so will lead to good outcomes – understanding that we must be grounded in both the work and our culture in order to compete for a region title and make a playoff run.”

From BLITZ: This is an exciting season for the Lady Cats. With what Millie Southards brings to the table as a multi-level scorer is one thing, but she also can handle the ball, get physical to fight for rebounds, play smothering defense, etc. Adelyn Thompson is a fantastic 3-point shooter and CLUTCH, and AddyBeth Owens is a great ball-handler with the ability to score and make the precise passes to set others up. White County transfer Zara Gosse plays so well in the paint, hauling in boards, protecting the rim, and scoring as well. That quartet along with Jaydynn Cohee and the rest of the team is among the early favorites for a region title and appear to be an Elite 8 team as the FLOOR, with an unknown ceiling.