LAURINBURG — The Scotland girls basketball team is set to hit the hardwood for their season opener today, and head coach Janie Hodges is confident her collection of players will embrace the moment when the lights turn on inside Scotland Gym.

The Scots have built a Southeastern Conference powerhouse during Hodges’ regime the past two seasons and when the program was under the direction of former coach David Johnson.

Since 2011, Scotland has won four straight conference titles while going 37-3 during that time span, including a perfect 10-0 mark against SEC foes last year.

“I think we’ve came in, regrouped, and been focused,” Hodges said after Wednesday’s practice session. “The girls are ready to play, we’ve had some good showings in the scrimmages.”

The Scots will welcome E.E. Smith to Laurinburg today for the season opener. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Scotland finished 16-9 last year and ran away with the conference crown, but lost to Leesville Road at home in the first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4A playoffs.

Hodges’ squad placed four players on the all-Southeastern Conference team, including Player of the Year Destiny Campbell. The now-graduated star has taken her talents to Cape Fear Community College, but the Scots return three all-SEC performers in Ashlyn Dial, ShanQaylia Stanton and Khasiya Sellers.

“Although we’ll miss Destiny, I think we picked up a lot of good pieces that can possibly replace her and those returning have stepped up,” Hodges said.

Scotland will suit up 12 girls on the varsity roster, and Hodges said “everyone has the potential to play.”

“Last year we had our starting five and then there was some shakiness going on,” she said. “But we have a good eight that could put in quality minutes and the newcomers are getting it as time goes by.”

While depth is always nice luxury for Hodges to rely on, the performances from the three returning all-SEC starters will determine if Scotland can capture its fifth conference title in a row.

“We’re going to need Ashlyn, ‘Qaylia, and Khasiya to lead the floor, they have to be in the forefront,” Hodges said. “They have to be the ones up and down the court because they’re our backbone this year.”

Dial, a 5-4 senior shooting guard, was the glue that held the Scots together last season. She averaged 10.8 points per game, 3.3 assists, 2.4 steals and 2.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 48 percent from the field.

Stanton, the flashy junior point guard, scored 9.9 points and dished out 6.2 assists per game a season ago. She also averaged 2.5 steals and 3.2 rebounds. Cutting back on turnovers will be a point of emphasis, as she averaged 4.0 a game for the Scots.

The player who perhaps faces the most pressure now that Campbell is no longer in a Scotland uniform is Sellers. Sellers, a 6-2 junior, will be the top option in the paint for the Scots after averaging 7.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game a season ago.

“Khasiya Sellers has been playing really big for us, she’s filling the role of Destiny,” Hodges said. “She’s not as agile but she’s a big body … that back-to-the-basket big brings a different presence for us.”

Scotland will feature faces new and old during its 2015-2016 campaign, but the standard has been set for consistent success regardless of who suits up in a Scots uniform.

“We always have high expectations, our goal is always to make it to the state playoffs and be competitive there,” Hodges said. “We feel like we can compete with any of the best.”

Logan Martinez can be reached at 910-506-3170. Follow him on Twitter @L_Martinez13.

Scotland junior Khasiya Sellers drives to the basket during Wednesday’s practice. The two-time all-SEC center is expected to take on a bigger role in the post this season now that conference player of the year Destiny Campbell has graduated.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_DSC_9784.jpgScotland junior Khasiya Sellers drives to the basket during Wednesday’s practice. The two-time all-SEC center is expected to take on a bigger role in the post this season now that conference player of the year Destiny Campbell has graduated. Logan Martinez | The Laurinburg Exchange

By Logan Martinez

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