SETH — Blessed with an experienced lineup and a deep bench, the Sherman Lady Tide hope to have its best season in five years.

“We have set our goals pretty high,” Sherman coach Terri Dawn Williams said. “We have a tougher schedule this year. We are shooting for 15 wins. Whether we make it or not, that is our goal.

“This is my fifth year as the head coach. We won 15 games my first year. This group can match that. They just have to keep working hard.”

Sherman wants to advance from a Class AA sectional tournament that features Poca and Sissonville.

“Those teams are going to be tough,” Williams said, “but I feel we can compete with them and play with them. When we get to regionals, we are one game away from states and anything can happen.”

The Lady Tide (11-10 in

2008-09) will start four seniors who offer an abundance of

experience.

Guards Megan Williams and Crystal Halstead are four-year starters. Forward Madison Bowman is a three-year starter. Guard Jessica Hudson is a

two-year starter.

Bowman was a first-team selection on the 2008-09 Coal Valley News All-County Team after averaging a double-double in points and rebounds for Sherman.

Bowman scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds per game last season.

“As a freshman, she didn’t even start,” Williams said. “She came off the bench. She was probably the eighth person on the team.

“She wanted to get better. People don’t realize how hard she works. All summer long, she is in the gym for volleyball,

basketball or softball.”

Bowman has transformed from a guard to a forward from her freshman year to her senior season, although she still can play the latter if necessary.

“Now, she can go inside and outside,” Williams said. “Now, she is an all-around player. She has worked on her dribbling and her shooting. She will probably be our go-to person this season.”

The Lady Tide needs Halstead to continue her defensive effort.

Halstead averaged five points and five rebounds per game last season.

“She might be the best defender we have had since I have been here,” Williams said. “Whatever she adds to us offensively is just a plus.”

Sherman needs Megan Williams to increase her offensive output.

She averaged nine points and seven rebounds per game last season.

“I’m expecting big things out of her,” the Lady Tide coach said. “She has always been around 10 points a game throughout her career. I told her we need her to have 15 or 20 points a game this year.

“She is going to be our point guard this year. She has a lot of stuff on her shoulders, but I think she can handle it.”

Megan Williams likely will amass plenty of assists off passes to Hudson, who is Sherman’s “best pure shooter,” according to its coach.

Hudson averaged seven points and three rebounds per game last season.

Senior Taylor Dodrill, sophomore Emily Donohue and sophomore Hallie Jarrell are competing for the final spot in Sherman’s starting

lineup.

“Taylor could be our big

presence underneath,” Williams said. “That would allow us to bring Madison out some and not have to rely on her so much underneath.

“Hallie brings a little bit of everything. We scrimmaged the other night, and she played every spot on the floor. Hallie is just a versatile player. Emilie has worked really hard down under. She might box out better than anybody on our team. That is why we like to have her underneath.”

Sophomore guard Skylar Pauley also is expected to contribute.

“She is pretty good on defense,” Williams said. “She has to work on her offense a little bit more.”

Other varsity team members are senior Jennifer Byrd, sophomore Kelsey Williams, and freshmen Brittany Brewer, Mackenzie Smith and Taylor Hendricks.

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Sherman used a second-quarter surge Thursday to open the 2009-10 season with a 54-40 victory over visiting Buffalo.

Each team scored four points in the first quarter, but the Lady Tide netted 19 in the second quarter to take a 23-8 lead at halftime.

The Lady Bison had a 32-31 scoring advantage in the second half, but it wasn’t enough.

Williams led Sherman with 20 points. Bowman had 12 points.

Halstead and Hudson added eight points apiece. Dodrill, Jarrell and Pauley each scored two points.

Sherman hosted Burch on Friday. Results from that game were unavailable for this week’s issue but will be published in next week’s edition.

Sherman will host a four-team, two-day tournament Friday and Saturday, then will visit Chapmanville for another

four-team, two-day tournament Tuesday and next Wednesday.