New Roles For Lady Tigers
Warsaw hoops team hopes to continue success with new faces
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dale [email protected]
That won't be the case Saturday when the Lady Tigers travel to Huntington North and tip off the 2013-14 campaign.
Though she believes she has plenty of talented players to choose from, sixth-year coach Michelle Harter has to replace five seniors, including three starters, that led the Lady Tigers to a 24-2 record last year as well as the program's first sectional and regional titles since 2004.
Graduated from last year's team are Jennifer Walker-Crawford, Lindsay Baker, Melanie Holliday, Sarah Ray and Gabby Monroy.
Walker-Crawford, now playing at Kentucky Wesleyan, led the Lady Tigers in scoring last year with 14 points per game.
Baker, now on scholarship at University of Toledo, averaged nearly 12 points per game and led the team in steals and assists.
Holladay averaged five points per game and hit a clutch shot in the regional championship game.
“We lost a lot of scoring with that group, but we also lost a lot of the intangibles,” said Harter. “Those girls had a lot of varsity experience. They were smart with the ball and knew where to attack. They provided a lot of leadership that we'll miss.”
The role of leading this year's team falls on the shoulders of seniors Nikki Grose, Eryn Leek and Brooklyn Harrison.
Grose and Leek were starters a year ago, while Harrison played a large number of minutes.
Grose nearly averaged a double-double last season, scoring just under 12 points per game and grabbing just shy of 10 rebounds per contest.
“Nikki will have to be big in terms of scoring and defense,” said Harter. “She was a Junior All-Star last year, and she can be a force inside this year.
“Eryn is going to handle the duties at point guard,” continued Harter. “We're looking for her to step up and be more of a scorer. That's a different role for her, but I think she's capable. Brooklyn came off the bench last year, but she hit some big shots in the tournament. She'll be in a different role this year too.”
The rest of Warsaw's varsity roster includes senior Courtney Farling, juniors Bayleigh Hanna, Megan Kratzsch, Vicki Harris, Jodie Carlson, Pam Miller and Erin Clemens and freshmen Page Desenberg and Kilee Slone.
“Looking at this season, we're going to be a little inexperienced in terms of scoring,” said Harter. “Offensively we have to find some kids to that are willing to step into some new roles. There's a learning curve for us. We're gonna have a lot of girls in new roles.”
After Saturday’s season opener at Huntington North, the Lady Tigers are at Fort Wayne Luers Tuesday and at Tippecanoe Valley on Nov. 22.
Warsaw’s first home game is Nov. 29 against Whitko.
Of the Lady Tigers’ first nine games, seven of them are on the road.
The only other game they will play in the Tiger Den before the Lady Tiger Tournament on Dec. 30 is a Dec. 10 contest with Wabash.
Other road trips in that span include games at Michigan City (Dec. 7), Plymouth (Dec. 14), Columbia City (Dec. 17) and Wawasee (Dec. 21).
“It’ll be difficult playing so many games on the road right away, but for some of our younger kids they won’t feel the pressure of playing at home in front of a large home crowd,” said Harter. “We’re a little inxeperienced this year. We know we’re going to make mistakes, we just have to keep working hard and getting better. We’re looking at all these games on the road as a learning experience that will prepare us for the the tournament. That’s our goal during the season, get ready for the tournament.”[[In-content Ad]]
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That won't be the case Saturday when the Lady Tigers travel to Huntington North and tip off the 2013-14 campaign.
Though she believes she has plenty of talented players to choose from, sixth-year coach Michelle Harter has to replace five seniors, including three starters, that led the Lady Tigers to a 24-2 record last year as well as the program's first sectional and regional titles since 2004.
Graduated from last year's team are Jennifer Walker-Crawford, Lindsay Baker, Melanie Holliday, Sarah Ray and Gabby Monroy.
Walker-Crawford, now playing at Kentucky Wesleyan, led the Lady Tigers in scoring last year with 14 points per game.
Baker, now on scholarship at University of Toledo, averaged nearly 12 points per game and led the team in steals and assists.
Holladay averaged five points per game and hit a clutch shot in the regional championship game.
“We lost a lot of scoring with that group, but we also lost a lot of the intangibles,” said Harter. “Those girls had a lot of varsity experience. They were smart with the ball and knew where to attack. They provided a lot of leadership that we'll miss.”
The role of leading this year's team falls on the shoulders of seniors Nikki Grose, Eryn Leek and Brooklyn Harrison.
Grose and Leek were starters a year ago, while Harrison played a large number of minutes.
Grose nearly averaged a double-double last season, scoring just under 12 points per game and grabbing just shy of 10 rebounds per contest.
“Nikki will have to be big in terms of scoring and defense,” said Harter. “She was a Junior All-Star last year, and she can be a force inside this year.
“Eryn is going to handle the duties at point guard,” continued Harter. “We're looking for her to step up and be more of a scorer. That's a different role for her, but I think she's capable. Brooklyn came off the bench last year, but she hit some big shots in the tournament. She'll be in a different role this year too.”
The rest of Warsaw's varsity roster includes senior Courtney Farling, juniors Bayleigh Hanna, Megan Kratzsch, Vicki Harris, Jodie Carlson, Pam Miller and Erin Clemens and freshmen Page Desenberg and Kilee Slone.
“Looking at this season, we're going to be a little inexperienced in terms of scoring,” said Harter. “Offensively we have to find some kids to that are willing to step into some new roles. There's a learning curve for us. We're gonna have a lot of girls in new roles.”
After Saturday’s season opener at Huntington North, the Lady Tigers are at Fort Wayne Luers Tuesday and at Tippecanoe Valley on Nov. 22.
Warsaw’s first home game is Nov. 29 against Whitko.
Of the Lady Tigers’ first nine games, seven of them are on the road.
The only other game they will play in the Tiger Den before the Lady Tiger Tournament on Dec. 30 is a Dec. 10 contest with Wabash.
Other road trips in that span include games at Michigan City (Dec. 7), Plymouth (Dec. 14), Columbia City (Dec. 17) and Wawasee (Dec. 21).
“It’ll be difficult playing so many games on the road right away, but for some of our younger kids they won’t feel the pressure of playing at home in front of a large home crowd,” said Harter. “We’re a little inxeperienced this year. We know we’re going to make mistakes, we just have to keep working hard and getting better. We’re looking at all these games on the road as a learning experience that will prepare us for the the tournament. That’s our goal during the season, get ready for the tournament.”[[In-content Ad]]
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