Prep Hoops Preview | Eldorado: High but real expectations for Eagles

Scott Artman has high expectations for this year's Eldorado High School girls' basketball team. At the same time, his expectations are somewhat realistic.

"I think my expectations for this team are just to be competitive night in and night out," Artman said. "If they do what they have continued to do since practice started, I think we'll be very competitive this year. If we end up with a .500 record, I'll be satisfied, but this team has a lot of potential."

Eldorado lost close to 70 percent of its scoring from last season after the graduation of leading scorer Abby Steed, along with Jacqlyn Artman and and Caitlyn Stafford.

The nucleus that Artman has returning is what has him excited as his Eagle bunch is learning on the fly, but also picking up the jargon pretty quickly.

Take Britton returns to the Eagles after placing on the Black Diamond All-Conference second team a year ago, where the Eagles finished 11-17 overall and 3-7 in the conference, good enough for second to last behind Hamilton County.

Rachel Stafford saw an increase in minutes from a season ago, as did Madison Newton. Britton, Stafford and Newton are hoping to be the building blocks Artman needs as Eldorado embarks on the 2016-17 season.

"The difference between this year and last year, I think with this group of kids, I have a couple of young kids coming in that don't even know what they have contributed to the program so far," Artman said. "Being able to pass the ball, move the ball, see the floor like a couple of these kids are seeing it and the way we are moving the basketball and getting everyone involved, I think they are going to surprise a lot of people."

Still, Artman knows there are some pros and cons to it all.

"Defensively, I have to watch us play a few games first before to see where we are at," he admitted. "Defensively, is where we will struggle. We're a cookie cutter team. 5-5, 5-6, 5-7 and we don't have the big person like we would with Jacqlyn and Abby out of the lineup that can defend under the basket. Right now, we just don't have those type of players. Offensively, I think we'll be a better team this year than what we were last year."

Artman said this season will be a success if his kids continue to play like they have practiced the last couple of weeks.

"And that is being very unselfish with the basketball," he said. "These girls are more team-oriented than any team I have had in the last five years - bar none."

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register and Eldorado Daily Journal. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.

Eldorado At A Glance

Coach: Scott Artman

Who's Gone: Jacqlyn Artman, Abby Steed, Caitlyn Stafford

Who's Back: Takiya Britton

Outlook: Artman has a young and energetic bunch going into the 2016-17 campaign. His hope? That the Eagles can be competitive with their schedule and win a few games

Players Most Likely To Have A Breakout Season: Rachel Stafford: Stafford has matured and showing Artman she is ready to play as the coach has moved her around to a more fitting spot on the floor and has shown she is comfortable with the change.

Player With Something To Prove: Madison Newton: Newton has put in a lot of work and has improved her game immensely. Artman has high expectations for a player he says has gone from being a sheep to a lion. "She's a player that just wants to lead," Artman said.

A Stat Opponents Should Fear: If you don't shoot free throws well, you are lost. Eldorado will put you on at the free throw line, Artman admits.

The Season Hinges On: How fast can Artman get his younger players up to speed and how well they play together.

Last Year's Conference Champ: Johnston City

Conference Rankings: Hamilton County, Fairfield, Carmi-White County, Johnston City, Edwards County.

Top Players In Conference: Abby Vaughan (Carmi-White County)

Eldorado Schedule + Roster

<p>Eldorado Schedule</p>

<p>Nov. 17         at Goreville                 6:15 PM<br />Nov. 21         vs. Carmi-White Co.*         6 PM<br />Nov. 22         vs. Anna-Jonesboro*         6 PM<br />Nov. 25         vs. West Frankfort*         6 PM<br />Nov. 26         vs. Harrisburg*             7:30 PM<br />Nov. 29         GALLATIN CO.             6 PM<br />Dec. 1         at Carmi-White Co.         6:15 PM<br />Dec. 6         at Union Co., Ky.             6 PM<br />Dec. 8         at Hamilton Co.             6:15 PM<br />Dec. 10         HERRIN                     6:30 PM<br />Dec. 12         FAIRFIELD                 6:15 PM<br />Dec. 17         at Johnston City             1 PM<br />Jan. 2         GALATIA                     6 PM<br />Jan. 5         WEST FRANKFORT         6:15 PM<br />Jan. 9         at Edwards Co.             6:15 PM<br />Jan. 10     at Massac Co.             6:15 PM<br />Jan. 16-21     LADY EAGLE CLASSIC         TBA<br />Jan. 23     JOHNSTON CITY             6:15 PM<br />Jan. 26     HAMILTON CO.             6:15 PM<br />Jan. 30     at Fairfield                 6:15 PM<br />Feb. 2     EDWARDS CO.             6:15 PM<br />Feb. 4     MT. CARMEL                 6:30 PM<br />*Harrisburg Invite</p>

<p><br />Roster<br />No.    Name                    Class    Hgt.    Pos.<br />0    Madison Gulley        Fr.    5-10    C    <br />1    Paige Munds            Fr.     5-3    G<br />5    Trinity Goolsby        Fr.    5-8    F<br />10    Mykayla Rush        Fr.    5-4    G<br />11    Derian Corn            Jr.    5-9    F<br />12    Bethany Smith        So.    5-4    G<br />13    Bayleigh Barton        Fr.    5-5    G<br />15    Zakiya Britton        Jr.    5-7    G<br />21    Olivia Parker            Jr.    5-8    F<br />24    Lexa Carney            Jr.    5-4    G<br />25    Takiya Britton        Jr.    5-8    F</p>

<p>30    Sandra Genet            Fr.    5-6    F<br />31    Rachel Stafford        Jr.    5-4    G<br />32    Madison Newton        Jr.    5-7    F<br />34    Jade Hise                So.    5-7    F<br />35    Jessica Price            Fr.    5-8    F<br />40    Kim Acheson            Jr.    5-5    G</p>