With six returning players, three of them starters, the Pulaski County Cougars are looking to be a contender for the River Ridge District title this season.

"We got some question marks," said head coach Jason Grubb. "But we definately have some talent."

Returning for the Cougars this season, who won the district tournament and eventually lost to Hidden Valley in the regional semifinals in a game that went into OT are Raiven Patterson (5-6, G, junior), who averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game last season; Daisey Ball (6-2, C, soph), who averaged seven points and six rebounds per game; Kasey Holcomb (5-5, PG, junior), who tallied 64 steals, 57 assists and averaged seven points per game last year; Brittany Lawson (5-11, C, senior), Elizabeth Thacker (5-6, G, junior) and Nikki Shay (5-7, G, junior).

Patterson, Ball and Holcomb all started, while Lawson, Thacker and Shay came off the bench.

Patterson, who is nursing back problems, has seen very limited action in the early season workouts, while Shay is recovering from an ACL tear and surgery and may not play this year.

"Ball is going to be a force this year," said the coach. "She estblished herself last year as an inside player."

"Holcomb is our point-guard and she is a very quick player, who is very smart. While Lawson gives us some added dimension inside," Grubb mentioned.

Other Lady Cougars looking to make an impact this season are Shaniqua Banks (5-9, W, junior), Marlena Morrison (5-6, G, junior), Maddie Chitwood (5-6, W, junior), Cara Covey (5-6, G, junior), Alexis McCloud (5-5, G, soph), Hanna Chaffin (5-5, G, soph), Sydney Anderson (5-7, W, fr) and Kelli Duncan (5-7, W, fr).

"We have a pretty good mix of inside/outside play," noted Grubb.

As for the Cougars' strengths this year, "We are agressive, depth and very athletic. However, we do lack some expereince at some spots."

Pulaski County has a very tough non-district schedule, as they wll take on William Fleming, Washington and Lee-Montross, Oakton, Radford, George Wythe and Carroll County in the upcoming weeks.

"We have a tough December schedule, but this will definately prepare us for our district slate," added Grubb. "Its going to be a battle every night and we hope to put ourselves into a position to do well again this year."

The Cougars will open their season Wednesday night, as they host William Fleming. The JV game starts at 6 p.m. followed by the varsity contest.

Photo: (Top left) Daisey Ball will be a major inside threat for Pulaski County this season. (Photo by Billy Myers/ValleySportsNow)