Last season, the Forrest Lady Rockets ended up with their first losing record since 2003-2004, but got hot late in the year, including a huge road win at Houston County in the first round of the Region 5A Tournament that propelled the Chapel Hill girls to the region semis where Moore County ended Forrest's season.

"Looking back at last year, record wise wasn't good, but I think we went as far as we should have," said FHS head coach Jeremy Jean. "The region semi was a good thing for us, going to Houston County and upsetting them and we did good on that."

Stated goal

Jean is entering his sixth season at Forrest and has accumulated a 111-49 overall record, 56-12 in district play, three District 9A titles, two Region 5A titles, two sub-state appearances and his lone trip to the state tournament that came in his first season at the helm.

"That is always our goal, that is something we talked about a few weeks ago and they want to get back, but we haven't won the district in two years either," said Jean. "So, our goals have to start with winning the district and hosting a sub-state game and if we do those two things we have a chance of getting back."

The 2013-2014 squad is a good one, loaded with a great mix of talent, starting with juniors Savannah Brothers and Hannah Evans, senior Kirston Holder, and freshman standout Caitlyn Yost.

Experience

"Those four kids have played a lot of minutes," said Jean. "We had 18 games that were within ten points or less last year and they were in all those and that will help us this year in close games, so they will be more comfortable with that and more comfortable in our system."

Juniors Sierra Waggoner and Margaret Bryan will get their chance to contribute this year as they round out a solid core of upperclassmen, who have seen and been through the battles and are looking for a return to glory for the program that that made four consecutive trips to the state tournament and won the Class A title in 2005-2006.

What the Lady Rockets have not had in past couple of seasons is the depth to sustain the grind of the long arduous season, but this year Jean is loaded with a spirited group of youngsters to fill out a deep roster.

More depth

"Depth has been an issue the past couple of years and we could not press like we want to," said Jean. "This year fifteen could play on any night and that is where the ones who aren't playing one night have to be ready when I call on them. Last year we got in some mismatches because of our depth, but this year, we will be creating those mismatches."

Sophomores Hailey Collins, Amanda Patterson, and Krista Chapman have all had solid summers on the hard court and are in the mix for playing time.

The freshman class is a good one, beginning with Yost, who played beyond her years on the varsity squad in 2012-2013, displaying unbelievable skills and a raw excitement that will continue to make her one of the top players in the region.

Yost's freshman classmates Kyleah Hengesbach, Tamia Northcutt, Dani Hoeft, Taylor Patin, and Brynn Colvin all bring new energy, plus the much-needed depth that Jean has been waiting for.

Season nears

The Lady Rockets open the season at Columbia Academy on Nov. 12, kicking off an exciting season in Chapel Hill that could produce a stellar season if Jean and his team can get some bounces, defend the home court, compile a solid district winning record, tally some tough non-league wins, while continuing to grow and gel as a team.

"I don't like going and watching at the state tournament," said Jean. "There are years you shouldn't get there that you do and years you should get there and you don't, so you have to keep riding it out, work hard, keep getting better and when you get there, you have to make the best of it."

Look for the Lady Rockets to bounce back in a big way this season as a few tough re-building years pay off in a deep post-season run in 2013-2014.

"We will be ready to play every night and I think we will have a good year," said Jean. "We will play up-tempo and be fun to watch, and in the end, I think we have a real shot at being pretty good."

2013-2014 Forrest Lady Rockets

Head Coach-Jeremy Jean

Assistants-Jimmy Jean and Beth Hawn

No. Name Grade

3 Margaret Bryan 11

4 Kyleah Hengesbach 9

5 Hannah Evans 11

11 Caitlyn Yost 9

12 Dani Hoeft 9

14 Hailey Collins 10

15 Tamia Northcutt 9

20 Sierra Waggoner 11

21 Savannah Brothers 11

22 Kirston Holder 12

23 Amanda Patterson 10

30 Briana Mackie 11

34 Krista Chapman 10

35 Brynn Colvin 9

40 Taylor Patin 9

Schedule

Date Opponent Place

Nov. 12 Columbia Academy Away

Nov. 16 Pope John Paul III Home (HOF)

Nov. 16 Wayne County Home (HOF)

Nov. 19 Cornersville Away

Nov. 22 Richland Home

Nov. 27, 29, 30 Forrest Thanksgiving Tournament

Dec. 3 Eagleville Away

Dec. 7 Pope John Paul III Away

Dec. 10 Summertown Home

Dec. 13 Moore County Away

Dec. 16 Santa Fe Away

Dec. 20 Fayetteville Away

Dec. 27 Page Eagleville Christmas Tournament

Dec. 28 Cascade Eagleville Christmas Tournament

Jan. 3 Community Home

Jan. 4 Summertown Away

Jan. 7 Huntland Home

Jan. 10 Eagleville Home

Jan. 14 MTCS Away

Jan. 16 Mt. Pleasant Home

Jan. 21 Moore County Home

Jan. 24 Community Away

Jan. 28 Fayetteville Home

Jan. 31 Huntland Away

Feb. 3 Cornersville Home