NORTH MANCHESTER - Though its roster lists just three seniors, Manchester High School's varsity girls basketball team enters the 2010-2011 season with plenty of experience.
With 10 players returning, including four starters, the Lady Squires are hoping to improve on last season's 11-10 record."We have, realistically, 10 girls who could wind up starting a game," said 10th-year coach Mark Undwerood, whose team posted a 4-3 record and finished tied for third in the Three Rivers Conference. "We have plenty of experienced players.
"Depth is a strong point for us," he continued. I hope we're an aggressive team and we get after it. We're pretty athletic."
The lone starter to graduate from last year's team was Jessica Bedke, who led the way with nearly 16 points per game.
Among the returnees are senior Erika Milam, juniors Meika Kennedy, Hannah Little, Kaylee Watson and Hanna Schmidt, as well as sophomore Kayla Flack.
"We're not very old in terms of having a lot of seniors, but we do have some experience," said Underwood. "That was one of our weaknesses last year, and we were a bit inconsistent. At times we looked really good, other times it looked liked we hadn't practiced all week. I think having some experience will really help us this year."
Flack averaged nearly 11 points and eight rebounds per game last season as a freshman.
Kennedy and Little are gearing up for their third season at the varsity level.
Other members of the team include seniors Jentri Cripe and Katie Underwood; junior Malyssa Bedke; and sophomores Kalene Freshour, Bekah Brunn, Lindsey Budnik and Autumn Brewer.
The Lady Squires open the season Friday at Bluffton.
Manchester plays its first conference game Dec. 4 at Northfield.
"I think the conference as a whole will be strong," said Underwood. "I'd like to think we can finish in the top half. Obviously Wabash is going to be very good. Whitko is going to be strong. Valley has some young kids coming back. There aren't any easy games. Overall, the conference is pretty young, and there are several good players. You're going to have to be ready to play every game."
