Manual is back with four seniors: returning leading scorer Latonay Shropshire, Z’lisia Hankston, point guard Alexis Westerfield and Makyla Livers. The foursome combined last year for more than 30 points and 20 rebounds per game.
First-year Manual coach Marques Gibson and first-year assistant coach Adriana Williams, who was a small college All-American player at Berea (Ky.) College, help guide the Redskins this season with veteran assistant Martin Sam (not pictured). MANUAL (3A, 12-11) – Coach Jaques Gibson succeeds Jim Sturgeon (three years, 41-34) … defending Greater Indianapolis Conference champs … graduated standouts Brianna Debolt, 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and Azure Shotwell, 8.3 points, 5.1 rebounds … high player commitment … eight returnees, led by seniors, 5-6 wing Latonay Shropshire (12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds), 5-8 Z’lisia Hankston (7.8 points, 8.2 rebounds), and 5-4 floor general Alexis Westerfield (6.8 points, 3.7 assists) … 5-10 senior Makyla Livers (4.9 rebounds) force in middle … juniors Asia Douglas, defensive ace Jada Taylor, Cassie Warren and promising soph Kalesha Livers got minutes last year … newcomers 5-4 senior Madison Duncan, junior Willquasha Hankston-Terry and 5-9 soph Favour Ogundipe will play … at Lutheran, Nov. 20.
Coach’s comments: “We’re excited. We’re basing everything on family and commitment. We have good leadership and our seniors understand the game. We want to play a fundamental game at a fast pace. We have some scorers too. We need to play consistently. The girls are learning a new system. We have a lot of moving pieces. By late season I want our team to look like one and execute at a high level, everybody moves without the ball; defensively, to limit teams to only one possession. I’m looking forward to growing the program with these girls.”
Coach’s comments: “We’re excited. We’re basing everything on family and commitment. We have good leadership and our seniors understand the game. We want to play a fundamental game at a fast pace. We have some scorers too. We need to play consistently. The girls are learning a new system. We have a lot of moving pieces. By late season I want our team to look like one and execute at a high level, everybody moves without the ball; defensively, to limit teams to only one possession. I’m looking forward to growing the program with these girls.”
A mix of returnees and newcomers give rise to Manual’s goal of defending its Greater Indianapolis Conference championship. Players are (front, from left) Willquasha Hankston-Terry, point guard Kalesha Livers; (back) 5-9 forward Favour Ogundipe, Cassie Warren, Jada Taylor and Asia Douglas.
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