BETSY LAYNE - Christina Crase is set to direct the Betsy Layne Ladycats in her first game as head coach of the girls’ high school basketball program. Betsy Layne will host familiar foe Paintsville in a season-opener on Monday at the Dome.

Crase inherited a Betsy Layne girls’ basketball team that finished the 2011-12 season 18-12.

After an undefeated run as a head coach in the 58th District, Devon Akers vacated her post as Betsy Layne head coach early in the 2012-13 schoolyear. Crase has enjoyed much success as the head coach of Betsy Layne’s volleyball program.

Betsy Layne has welcomed back an experienced group of players from the 2011-12 season. Senior guard Paige Watkins (14.6 ppg through the 58th District Tournament), senior guard/forward T.J. Tackett and sophomore guard Timera Thacker are prepared to lead the Ladycats, again. Behind Watkins, the team’s leading scorer, Tackett and Thacker both averaged around nine points per game last season.

Paintsville ended the 2011-12 season 22-10. With junior guard Shelby Carroll leading the way, Paintsville is expected to be back in title contention in the 2012-13 season.

Paintsville, however, must replace talented veterans Leaha Vanhoose and Megan Jones.

In addition to Carroll, Paintsville returns senior forward Andrea Hansford and sophomore forward Kerrigan Samons. Longtime head coach Mark Baldwin guides the Paintsville girls’ basketball team.

Betsy Layne was playing Leslie County at the Knott County Sportsplex on Tuesday evening in a preseason matchup. Paintsville played Leslie County in a scrimmage at Sheldon Clark on Saturday.