ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE takes a look at the teams to watch this month in this area:

Girls' Swimming -- Lassiter

Opponents hoping that graduation would force Lassiter to relinquish the Class AAAAA girls' championship might be disappointed this winter. The Lady Trojans, who return seven All- County swimmers and five defending state champs under the direction of All-County Coach of the Year Glenn Meeden, are the odds-on favorites to repeat this winter. While the expectations of repeating might pressure some squads, Lassiter relishes the opportunity to live up to the hype. "We're looking forward to it," Meeden says. "The girls love to compete in a highstakes environment and they kind of look forward to that." Lassiter has maintained a stranglehold on the Cobb County championship since 2001. In 2005, Meeden's first year, Lassiter won a state title behind a senior-laden cast, but was relegated to a rebuilding year the next winter. The current squad's young nucleus should keep that from happening this year. The senior trio of Lindzi Smith, Devin Arch and Sarah Schimenti compose the veteran cluster of a team looking to finish strong. Smith and junior Courtney Ciesielski earned All-County first team honors, while Arch and Schimenti were named to the second team. Sophomores Kim Carducci and Sammie Bosma were key contributors to the title run, swimming with the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams that earned state titles along with Smith, Bosma and junior Ansley Crenshaw. "The possibility (of repeating) is there,"Meeden says.

Boys' Basketball -- Hancock Central

With reigning Class A Player of the Year Kammeon Holsey and Coach of the Year Anthony Webb in the mix, Hancock Central could again hoist the Class A championship trophy this winter. Holsey, a 6-foot-7 senior who averaged 20 ppg last year and is rated the No. 41 player in the ESPNU 100, assisted the Bulldogs in dispatching Turner County in the state championship last winter. Senior guard Tacowan Fluellen's perimeter game is a solid compliment to Holsey on the interior.

Girls' Gymnastics -- Newnan

In just its third year of existence, the Newnan girls' gymnastics squad won the state title last winter in a tightly contested meet with runner-up Walton. Junior Haley Todd and sophomores Paige Pirie and Haley Pilgreen return to anchor the team, which finished third overall in 2007. Newnan showcased its depth at state, as no GymCat finished in the top three. Pirie placed fifth on the bars last season and should help Newnan in its bid to repeat.

Boys' Swimming -- Marist

With several key members heading back to the lanes, state runner-up Marist is hoping to make a splash and dethrone defending champ Westminster. Marist returns its entire third-place 200 medley relay team, with senior Karl Staber and juniors Peter Haas, John Locker and Chris Nagle back with another year of experience. Senior Ross Bundschuh placed third in the 200 freestyle and Marty Long is an impact diver who finished just out of second place in the one-meter dive.

BREAK OUT TEAMS

GIRLS' BASKETBALL -- BERKMAR
Senior Tyra Smith led Berkmar to the round of 16 last year by pouring in 19.5 points a game.

BOYS' WRESTLING -- UNION GROVE
As a junior, Joey Lazor (45-0) was one of three unbeaten wrestlers in Class AAAAA last year.

GIRLS' GYMNASTICS -- MILTON
Milton could be in line for a state title after successive third and second-place finishes.

BOYS' BASKETBALL -- DACULA
Center Brian Cole will look to advance his squad past the second round in his final season.