Glenhayes, W.V. — Going into this season legendary Tolsia Girls Head Coach Ric Morrone is only 26 wins from 500 for his career.
2025/26 Lady Rebels
Front L to R Olivia Kelly, Jacey Crum, Kilee Preece, Kalynn Salmons
Back L to R Carly Johnson, Cayleigh Vance, Greenlee Vance, Piper Pack, Payten Johnson
The Lady Rebels won nine games last season and played a very challenging schedule and lost to eventual Class A state champion Gilmer County in the Region 4 championship game.
Lady Rebel Captains
Senior Jacey Crum, Senior Kilee Preece, Junior Olivia Kelly
Senior Jacey Crum is the leading returning scorer, Junior Olivia Kelly along with Sophomores Kalynn Salmons and Carly Johnson both played big minutes last season and Senior Kilee Preece is back after missing her Junior campaign with a knee injury. Sophomores Piper Pack and Greenlee Vance should get more minutes this season and will provide depth for the Lady Rebels.
Lady Rebel Sophomores
Kalynn Salmons, Piper Pack, Greenlee Vance, Carly Johnson
The schedule is probably one of the toughest in Class A with a game against 2024 Class 3A champion Wayne, 2024 Class 1A champion Gilmer County, home and home with Class A runner-up Tug Valley, home and home with Class 3A Chapmanville, home and home with Class 2A Mingo Central and games with 2A Ritchie County and Buffalo.
Rebel Freshmen
Cayleigh Bragg and Peyten Johnson
Tolsia lost two starters in Emily Artrip and Amber Stevens along with role player Mackenzie Cassell from last year’s team.
Tolsia will open up the season Wednesday December 3rd with a trip to Ohio to face Portsmouth Notre Dame. The home opener will be Thursday December 11th versus Chapmanville.
Tolsia Head Coach Ric Morrone
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… We really had a good offseason and summer the girls worked hard and it carried over once we started practicing and into our two scrimmages as well. They have really bought in to the program. We had some playing AAU and some playing other sports which I encourage they really put in the work and it is starting to show. I have been happy with the effort and I’m excited to get going. Every year is a new year even though this is 33 for me it’s the first with this group.”
“…We lost three from last year but get Kilee Preece back who was out all year and I’m excited for her because she gets to do something she loves. Our two scrimmages against Clay Co. and Buffalo were totally different and I was glad of that. They are also Double A teams and presented different styles. Back in the day Clay Co. was in our region when Mary Ramsey was the coach and we had some battles and now Christy Fitzwater does a great job with them. It was two good matchups for us, you can only simulate so much in practice with only nine players. The girls were ready to go against somebody else and now we get ready for the real thing on Wednesday.”
“… We have three captains with our two seniors Jacey Crum and Kilee Preece along with our lone junior in Olivia Kelly who are great leaders and great kids. We also have a solid sophomore group with Greenlee Vance who is out on some strength and made big strides. Carly Johnson is all over the place, Piper Pack is relentless on the defensive end and finishing better. Kalynn Salmons runs the point and her defensive pressure is really helping. Really excited about our freshman who will get some good minutes with the way we play. Payten Johnson who has worked really hard and Cayleigh Bragg who is still working on her game but is a warrior in there. These girls show up to work everyday, we had a late night scrimmage and then practice at 8:00 the next morning and every one of them were ready to go.”
“…The schedule is very daunting but I’m excited and ready to get things going in the regular season. Just like last year we hoped to be playing our best basketball in February and March.”
