The East Richland Tigers advanced to the Class 2A state finals a year ago, claiming 4th place and finishing the season with a 28-9 record. A majority of players from last years team have graduated, but the three players that are back are strong.

"Lady Tigers will be very young. With only three returning varsity players, we will be inexperienced," coach Brent McKinney said. A pair of players from last years team are now playing at the collegiate level. Casey Kuenstler is at Lakeland Junior College and Ladi Stallard is playing at Southern Indiana.

On the positive end, two of the three returnees are All-Staters. Taylor Stevenson (5'7" Jr. Point Guard) was a third team all-state selection, averaging 11.0 points/game, 3.5 rebounds/game, and 2 steals/game. Heading into her junior season, Stevenson has already scored 610 career points, 110 steals, and 172 rebounds. "(Stevenson) is a quick slasher that can take you off the dribble and create a shot."

The other third team all-stater is Ebany Brumfield (5'8" Jr. Guard/Forward). "(Brumfield) is very athletic, fastest player on the team, and led in scoring and rebounding. Physically strong player, finishes well around the basket." Brumfield averaged 12.0 points/game and 9.5 rebounds/game. She also earned all-area honors from the Decatur Herald-Review and Champaign News-Gazette.

Marissa Runyon (5'8" Jr. Post) is the third returnee on the Lady Tigers. "Played important minutes down the stretch. Does the dirty work." A pair of varsity newcomers will see a lot of floor time this season. Heather Ernst (5'2" So. 1 or 2 Guard). "Shoots and dribbles well." Jen Luna (5'7" So. 2 or 3 Guard). "Long and athletic, good shooter."

East Richland boasts a strong schedule, which helps at the end of the season. A year ago, the Lady Tigers won 15 games in a row leading to the state finals. "Lady Tigers play a tough schedule that will pay off in the end. Our goal is to improve as the season goes along. Taylor and Ebany will have to lead the way for us."

Competing in the Apollo Conference, the Lady Tigers went 12-2 in the league a year ago. "Salem is the team to beat," McKinney said on the conference favorites.

Brent McKinney enters his third season as head coach at East Richland, where he has a record of 40-28.

East Richland appeared in three consecutive supersectionals (2003-04 to 2005-06). Curt Dobbs led those teams to 26, 29, and 30 win seasons. Highlighting those squads was Brittany Johnson, the all-time leading scorer in IHSA history. Johnson is a junior at Ohio State University. She scored 4,031 career points, over 600 points more than the previous record holder (Angie Sapp of Williamsville).

The Lady Tigers also qualified for the state finals in 2001-02 under coach Dobbs, but did not place. Olney East Richland won regional titles seven times during the 1990's, including sectional championships in 1989-90 and 1990-91.