2012 LADY TIGER CLASSIC: A TEAM-BY-TEAM GUIDE

Below is a quick glance at each team in this year's Lady Tigers Classic.

Nevada Tigers

Coach: Brent Bartlett.

Record: 8-8.

Starting lineup: MacKenzie Pritchett (Jr. PG, 3ppg, 1.5 apg), Mikayla Bartlett (Fr. G, 11 ppg, 5rpg), Ashley Shumaker (Jr. G/F, 4 ppg, 3rpg), Morgan McNeley (Fr. G, 6ppg),Tori Dahmer (Jr. F. 10 ppg, 8rpg).

Key reserves: Kelsey McCall (Soph. G, 4ppg), Rilie Good (Fr. C, 4ppg, 5rpg), Bailey Harbit (Sr. F, 2ppg). McCall, Good and Harbit could be in the starting lineup, as well.

Last year's finish: First.

Strengths: Athleticism, effort.

Outlook: The tourney's defending champion, Nevada is in need of a win. The Tigers have dropped seven-straight. Bartlett said senior Tiffani Long's status for the tourney is doubtful.

Quotable: "We love this tournament," Bartlett said. "Playing three extra games at home is pretty special for our team."

Carthage Tigers

Coach: Jim Moore.

Record: 11-5.

Starting lineup: Kaylee Morgan (Sr. G, 15 ppg, 4apg, 4rpg, 3spg); Hannah Blount (Sr. G, 7ppg, 2apg, 5rpg); Vanessa Pawlak (Soph. G, 14ppg, 5rpg, 5apg, 4spg); Chloe Shepherd (Jr. F, 13ppg, 6rpg); Quincy Charleston (Jr. F, 7rpg, 5ppg).

Key reserves: Leigh Ann Craig (Soph. G); Emily Goeken (Jr. F/C); Morgan Baugh (Jr. G); Sierra Barrett (Soph. F).

Last year's finish: Fourth.

Strengths: Turning steals into layups with a pressure defense.

"I think our overall team speed and athleticism are our biggest strengths," Moore said. "We have shown the ability to pressure the basketball hard and also an ability to push the ball in transition."

Outlook: The Tigers could be considered the favorite to win the tourney. Blount was an all-tourney pick last year. The Tigers have a deep bench. Goeken is coming back from an ACL injury and continues to make progress. Carthage has wins over Nevada, Joplin and Carl Junction this season.

Quotable: "We are excited to be a part of the LTC. We are treated very well by everyone associated with the tournament and look forward to competing throughout the week." -- Moore.

Joplin Eagles

Coach: Vicki Spivy.

Record: 2-10.

Starting lineup: Casee Wheeler (5-9 Sr.); Holly O'Dell (5-5 Sr.); Miriah Johnson (5-8 Sr.); Tylan Martin (5-5 Jr.); Anna Banwart (5-6 Soph.).

Key reserves: Bailey Taylor (5-8 Fr.); Sidnee Palmer (5-6 Soph.); Molly Banwart (Fr.)

Last year's finish: Fifth.

Outlook: Joplin's record isn't pretty, but the Class 5 Eagles always play solid competition. Coach Spivy said her team will always play hard. Wheeler is the team's leading scorer.

Quotable: "We always enjoy playing in the Nevada Classic," Spivy said. "There are always competitive teams and its ran very well."

Carl Junction Bulldogs

Coach: Jonathan Wengert.

Current record: 4-11.

Starting lineup: Bryce Boyd (Soph. G); Taylor Beck (Soph. G); Sydney Koch (Jr. G); Laken Eberhart (Jr. F); Brenlee McPherson (Fr. G).

Key reserves: Katie Skaggs (Soph. C); Timbre Murty (Jr. G); Olivia Uhrich (Soph. G); Shelby Campbell (Sr. F); Allyson Mitchell (Soph. F).

Last year's finish: Third.

Outlook: The Bulldogs are a very young team this year. Nevada has two wins over the Bulldogs this year, while Carthage has one.

Quotable: "We are excited to play in the tournament, it gives us an opportunity to compete against quality teams and is only going to make us better," Wengert said. "We look forward to the challenge of competing."

Liberal Bulldogs

Coach: Brandi Goodell.

Record: 10-2.

Starting lineup: Kori Dodson (5-7 Sr. PG, 16ppg); Hanna Beckwith (5-8 Sr. F, 14ppg); Kendall Kirby (5-10 Sr. F, 10 ppg); Megan Rose (5'6" Sr. G); Nicole Sprenkle (5-4 Soph. G).

Key reserves: Baylee Robertson (5-9 Soph. G/F); Rachel Dugan (5-9 Soph. F/G).

Last year's finish: Did not participate.

Strengths/Outlook: Liberal is a veteran group, with some youth mixed in. Goodell feels the team's defense has been a key to success.

Dodson is a the player to watch for Liberal. The 5-7 guard has signed to play for Missouri Southern and is scoring 16 points per game. Dodson is also a volleyball and track standout.

Quotable: "We are excited to be coming to the Lady Tiger Classic," Goodell said. "There will be great competition there and it will give us a great opportunity to see where we are going into our conference schedule."

Raymore-Peculiar Panthers

Coach: Brad Gaines.

Record: 5-4.

Starting lineup: Rob McGowin (Sr. G, 16 ppg); Alyssa Janssen (Jr. G, 8ppg); F - Sydney Martinez (Jr. F, 6ppg); Rose Stamper (Jr. F); Bridgette Sappington (Jr. C).

Key reserves: Katie Dvergston (Jr. F); Soph - Vanessa Mann (Soph. G); Brea Griddine (Jr. F).

Last year's finish: Sixth

Outlook: McGowin, the team's leading scorer, is the lone senior. Gaines said McGowin has come back from total knee reconstruction, which caused her to miss last season. Martinez is the team's leading rebounder. Stamper is a swing player who plays solid defense. Gaines said Sappington continues to get better with each game. Dvergston is a good outside shooter off the bench, Mann is a speedy guard and Griddine provides depth inside.

Strengths: "Our team strengths are we are a pretty good defensive team with good quickness," Gaines said. "We have quite a bit of experience back from last year, as far as starters. Rob is an extremely talented guard that continues to improve as a floor leader."

Quotable: "We are always excited about playing in this tournament, it gives us an opportunity to see other teams outside the KC area. It is also very good competition as well." -- Gaines.

--Compiled by Jason Peake, Daily Mail Sports Editor