Whitko Girls Trying To Find Winning Ways
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
The 17-win season didn't only feature a school-record in wins, but also saw the team win the Three Rivers Conference. Since then, the team has gone 14-30.[[In-content Ad]]However, after going 9-14 last season, the Lady Wildcats coach Rob Bell returns all but one player.
"I hope we see the potential of having a young team the last couple years," Bell said. "We had a lot of freshmen and sophomores that are now juniors and seniors. Hopefully, that experience is a benefit."
Gone from last year's team, which lost 76-35 in the sectional championship game, is Amanda Allender, who averaged 3.7 points and 3.9 rebounds a game.
Back are two members of the 2009-10 Times-Union All-Area Team, senior Rachelle Kessie and junior Karissa Olinske.
The six-foot Kessie has been a big part of the Lady Wildcats since her freshman year and averaged 7.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game last year.
"We need the other girls to get the ball inside," Bell said. "We need to make sure (Kessie) gets touches."
Olinske was the team's top shooter, averaging 10.8 points, while also posting 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals.
"We need her to continue to do the same thing," Bell said about Olinske.
Another major component on this year's team is junior Micaela Sylvester, who's been starting for Whitko since her freshman year.
Running the point last season, Sylvester averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.5 rebounds, showcasing her versatility. The only negative about Sylvester's game was her 6.3 turnovers a game, but with an extra year of experience, Bell sees that number coming down with confidence.
"We have to get some attitude," he said. "We need to play with confidence. They need to know they can come out and play with any team. Once they get that mentality, they have a shot to achieve their goals."
Among those goals is getting back into the Three Rivers Conference championship picture, but to do that, the squad will need production from some other players outside of Kessie, Olinske and Sylvester.
One of those players will be 5-2 sophomore Cagney Craig, who started 20 of last year's 23 games, averaging 4.4 points, 3.3 assists and 2.7 steals.
"Micaela and Cagney can offer so much," Bell said. "Micaela can run the point, but Cagney does a good job of it too."
Bell is optimistic that junior Katee Reiff can find her shot this season, making it difficult for teams to double down on Kessie on a consistent basis.
"Talent-wise, we have as much as we've ever had," Bell said.
Other contributors will be senior Nicole Slaymaker, as well as juniors Cassie Jones and Lynsi Hicks, as well as sophomores Josie Sparks and Melanie Kelsey.
While the depth is there, Bell keeps harping on the mental game as key for this year's Lady Wildcats team.
"They need to pull together and get along," he said. "They're all friends who push each other. They want to be great."
Whitko opens its season Tuesday at home against Central Noble.
The 17-win season didn't only feature a school-record in wins, but also saw the team win the Three Rivers Conference. Since then, the team has gone 14-30.[[In-content Ad]]However, after going 9-14 last season, the Lady Wildcats coach Rob Bell returns all but one player.
"I hope we see the potential of having a young team the last couple years," Bell said. "We had a lot of freshmen and sophomores that are now juniors and seniors. Hopefully, that experience is a benefit."
Gone from last year's team, which lost 76-35 in the sectional championship game, is Amanda Allender, who averaged 3.7 points and 3.9 rebounds a game.
Back are two members of the 2009-10 Times-Union All-Area Team, senior Rachelle Kessie and junior Karissa Olinske.
The six-foot Kessie has been a big part of the Lady Wildcats since her freshman year and averaged 7.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game last year.
"We need the other girls to get the ball inside," Bell said. "We need to make sure (Kessie) gets touches."
Olinske was the team's top shooter, averaging 10.8 points, while also posting 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals.
"We need her to continue to do the same thing," Bell said about Olinske.
Another major component on this year's team is junior Micaela Sylvester, who's been starting for Whitko since her freshman year.
Running the point last season, Sylvester averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.5 rebounds, showcasing her versatility. The only negative about Sylvester's game was her 6.3 turnovers a game, but with an extra year of experience, Bell sees that number coming down with confidence.
"We have to get some attitude," he said. "We need to play with confidence. They need to know they can come out and play with any team. Once they get that mentality, they have a shot to achieve their goals."
Among those goals is getting back into the Three Rivers Conference championship picture, but to do that, the squad will need production from some other players outside of Kessie, Olinske and Sylvester.
One of those players will be 5-2 sophomore Cagney Craig, who started 20 of last year's 23 games, averaging 4.4 points, 3.3 assists and 2.7 steals.
"Micaela and Cagney can offer so much," Bell said. "Micaela can run the point, but Cagney does a good job of it too."
Bell is optimistic that junior Katee Reiff can find her shot this season, making it difficult for teams to double down on Kessie on a consistent basis.
"Talent-wise, we have as much as we've ever had," Bell said.
Other contributors will be senior Nicole Slaymaker, as well as juniors Cassie Jones and Lynsi Hicks, as well as sophomores Josie Sparks and Melanie Kelsey.
While the depth is there, Bell keeps harping on the mental game as key for this year's Lady Wildcats team.
"They need to pull together and get along," he said. "They're all friends who push each other. They want to be great."
Whitko opens its season Tuesday at home against Central Noble.
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