Although they went 10-12 last season, and four out of their five starters graduated, the varsity girls basketball team, coaches and fans don’t expect another losing season.
“I think that all of us are going to have to step up to fill those spots,” said senior Addie Naughton, the team’s leader in points, assists and steals per game last year. “Up to this point we have, especially in our scrimmage against Treynor.”
Even with Naughton returning, the team lost two of their top three players in all five major stat categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks). With these losses, the Lynx have been forced to call up players from last year’s undefeated JV team, and to prepare them, head coach Chad Schaa has taken an unusual route.
“I haven’t done this much in years past, but we are loading up on scrimmages here in the beginning of the year,” Schaa said. “Hopefully this will help us prepare for the season. We have challenges ahead, but we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”
Last year’s undefeated junior varsity team consisted of many players being relied on for contributions this year, including junior Bria Murphy, and sophomores Emily Townsend, Mallory Townsend and Ana Watkins.
“I don’t know how many minutes they’ll get, but I think the surprises will come from our sophomore class,” Schaa said. “I just don’t think a lot of people are expecting the success they are going to have on the stat sheets, and on our team this year.”
All these changes may seem like a lot for the squad, but they still expect a high placement in the conference during Schaa’s 18th year as a coach, most in the Missouri River Conference.
“I think we can finish second in the conference if we play with our all,” senior Kamryn Hamilton said. “We could finish above .500 as a team this year with the schedule we have, a goal we strive for every year.”
The Lynx start their season on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at the Shenandoah Fillies, and play their first home game on Tuesday, Dec. 2 against the Glenwood Rams.
“We are a fast paced team, getting up and down the floor very quickly, shooting a lot of threes,” Schaa said. “We will be exciting to watch, have an exciting year, and let’s see what we got.”
Get the latest updates on your Lady Lynx here: CBAL Girls Basketball
