Perry Meridian returns most players

Perry Meridian can rely upon seniors Molly Armstrong, Caitie Baird, Ariana Booker and Megan Bolyard.

PERRY MERIDIAN (4A, 7-16) – Coach Mike Armstrong (409-304) returns for 33rd season … graduated four players, including Sadie Hill, 15.3 points, 7.6 rebounds … Falcons return with 17 players… four starters back: 6-4 senior Caitie Baird (7.7 points, 6.3 rebounds), 5-8 classmate Ariana Booker (7.7 points, 3.0 assists) and 5-9 sophomores Lexi Dale and 5-9 Sally Mortensen … Baird, 5-8 senior Molly Armstrong, 5-7 senior Megan Bolyard and 5-5 Daija Wilson missed valuable playing time last year due to injuries … Ali and Lexi Dale were on state runner-up 1,600-relay team … sophs 5-5 Tiara White and 6-4 Lauralee Simpson add depth … rely on defensive pressure, speed and perimeter shooting … visit Southport, Nov. 20.

Coach’s comments: “We gained a lot of experience last year because we had to play through a lot of injuries. We had to navigate ourselves through some rough times. We will miss Sadie, but I really like our group because they work hard and play together. With our skill sets and the way Caitie can handle the ball in the backcourt, we are perimeter-orientated. We will be able to increase some roles by no longer focusing on getting the ball inside to Sadie. We have to work on our rebounding – we can’t run if we can’t rebound. Offensively, we would like to play faster. We are going to play a good team every night.