The Lady Pirates will begin practicing Nov. 17, in preparation for their upcoming 2008/2009 campaign.

The Pirate basketball team is coming off one of its best seasons in school history — taking a share of the league title, winning a game at state and finishing 11th overall for the year.

With three returning starters and a strong group of up-and-coming underclassman, the team anticipates being a strong title contender again this year.

A new JV coach was recently hired. Jen Schmithorst is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, where she played high school basketball.

She graduated from the University of Alabama and is currently working for LDM Worldwide, a local television production company.

Schmithorst said she is excited to get back into coaching after previously coaching some middle school basketball.

“Jen has a real passion for the game, and I feel that her knowlege and skills will benefit the girls in the program,” said coach Henry Porter.

There is a preseason girls’ interest meeting at the high school on Wednesday, Nov. 12. The first practice will be at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at the high school gym.

All paperwork must be turned in before the first practice.

“I hope we see a lot of girls turn out this year,” Porter said. “We’ve had tremendous success in the last couple of years with this program. I, coach Means and new coach Schmithorst are very excited about teaching the game of basketball to all girls who turn out, and we will be looking forward to seeing old and new faces in the gym this season.”