
By Al Stilley, Senior Writer
Saints began to take shape late season after losing six of first seven games; won first sectional trophy since 2006 … ex-sprint car owner Joe Morgan in 12th year, eyes 100-win milestone as Saints’ coach … sparkplug Kimmie Kuehr, a Southsider Voice correspondent, only graduation loss … top returnees are seniors in point guard Darianne Snyder (12 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.0 steals) and Erin Pasch (9.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, hit 42 percent of 3s) and junior Rylee Morris (14.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 40 percent of 3s) … soph Autumn Hobson steps up as starter … juniors Jaden Feller (5.1 points), Hanna and Mariah Mielke and Alyssa Awrey interchangeable … sophs Abby Caston and Lauren Hedges add depth … Saints are small, fast and mighty.
Coach’s comments: “The team kind of jelled at the end of last year and really started playing well. We graduated our vocal and physical leader (Kuehr). We have to replace her leadership. We do have players who can step into that role. Our three primary starters return. We have a good mix inside and outside. Darianne (Snyder) knows how to run the floor at the point. It will be interesting to see how our younger players fit in and jell.
“We’re going to build with five girls rebounding; I’m hoping we can get the ball and take off and run. The girls have worked hard during the off-season. I look for us to be better. The girls are excited about the challenge of a new season. Our expectations are very high.”