Coach’s comments: “I think we have a fantastic group of seniors who are close-knit and great teammates. Our togetherness is at a high level. They really realize it’s time for them to step from their junior-sophomore year to the next year. They know it’s their team now, so to be successful they have to ‘up’ their game. We’re still in transition, but we will be a more balanced team. We are seven-deep at this point and our freshmen need a lot of experience. We will need them to fill in certain roles. This (varsity) is a big leap for them. We can compete at a very high level, if we bring it mentally, with a focus, competitiveness and attention to detail. If we are locked in and ready to play, we can compete at a high level against a lot of teams on our schedule. We don’t have much room for error.”
CENTER GROVE (4A, 22-4) – Kevin Stuckmeyer, 46-12, in third season as head coach… reigning county and sectional champs … graduated co-county players of year Ella Thompson and Emma Utterback … five returnees must switch from role players to leaders: twin seniors 5-8 Emily Rake and 5-9 Claire Rake, 5-7 classmates Ashley Eck and Alainna Frankel, and 5-10 junior center Mary Wilson … C. Rake, 30 points, tied program record with eight 3s in rout of Warren Central, 62-19 … juniors Aili Lothamer and 5-8 Emily McWilliams top newcomers … depth comes from 5-11 junior Kaylee Carter and freshmen Ella Hobson, Emily Karr, Kaho Takeda and Lindsey Walker … off to a 3-1 start, including upset of Hamilton Southeastern … unique blend of veterans and newcomers… county tourney first hurdle this week.
Coach’s comments: “I think we have a fantastic group of seniors who are close-knit and great teammates. Our togetherness is at a high level. They really realize it’s time for them to step from their junior-sophomore year to the next year. They know it’s their team now, so to be successful they have to ‘up’ their game. We’re still in transition, but we will be a more balanced team. We are seven-deep at this point and our freshmen need a lot of experience. We will need them to fill in certain roles. This (varsity) is a big leap for them. We can compete at a very high level, if we bring it mentally, with a focus, competitiveness and attention to detail. If we are locked in and ready to play, we can compete at a high level against a lot of teams on our schedule. We don’t have much room for error.”
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FRANKLIN CENTRAL (4A, 2-20) – Rough debut with only two wins for veteran coach Vince Cerbone, who came from Martinsville … split first two games, losing to Center Grove and dominating Perry Meridian … nine returnees … more experienced teammates for bona fide Indiana All-Star candidate Rachel Loobie (20.8 points, 10.8 rebounds last year), scored 32 points Nov. 15 against Perry Meridian … 5-9 soph Rayah Kincer tough rebounder, scored 11 points Nov. 5 against Center Grove … seniors include 5-9 Mya Perry, 5-8 Ella Brewer and guards Alexis Mobley, Vannah Vaughan and Kayla Vinson … more height in starting lineup from 5-10 junior Maddie Weaver and 5-9 soph Olivia Faust … should notch first winning season in five years.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot more experience, mostly because our sophomores who played last year have grown into juniors. We have made major strides on defense, because we want to be able to put a lot of pressure on the ball. I expect us to be more mobile, too. Last year we kind of sat in a zone and just protected the basket. We’ve been working on man-to-man defense. On offense, we’re working on shooting and ball handling. We did a lot of over-dribbling last year. On offense, I think we will be able to give Rachel (Loobie) more help. We have a tough schedule, as always, but I expect us to go out there and compete.” |
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December 2023
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