NORTH MANCHESTER - To say that Manchester High School's varsity girls basketbal team is going to be young this season would be an understatement.
Of the 11 players listed on the Lady Squires' roster, eight of them are freshmen or sophomores."We're a young team," said coach Mark Underwood, who takes a 112-66 record into his ninth year with the Lady Squires. "It's going to take a lot of patience. Eight of our top 11 players are in their first or second year of high school. As long as the kids work hard and improve, we'll be happy."
Manchester was 12-9 overall last season and 3-4 in the Three Rivers Conference.
Five players graduated from that team, including four starters.
Gone from last year's team are Katie Bowers, Noelle Patrick, Amber Fratus, Becka Guthrie and Josi Cripe.
Bowers, a first-team all-conference selection, led the Lady Squires in nearly every category, including points (14 ppg), assists (6 apg), and steals (4 spg).
"We're going to miss Katie Bowers," said Underwood. "She was all-conference. She holds school records. She was our leading scorer. She led us in about every statistical category. She was on the varsity team since she was a freshman. She will be greatly missed."
Fratus was a second-team all-conference selection and averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game.
Patrick was an all-conference honorable mention player, averaging 10 points per game. Patrick was the Lady Squires' best long-ball threat, making 47 three-pointers last season.
Patrick set school records for three-pointers in a game, season and career.
"We definitely need to fill some shoes," said Underwood.
This year's Lady Squires' roster is made up of seniors Jessica Bedke and Emily Hill, junior Erika Milam, sophomores Malyssa Bedke, Meika Kennedy, Hanna Scmidt, Natalee Cain and Hannah Little, and freshmen Kalen Freshour, Autumn Brewer and Kayla Flack.
Of those 11 players, only three are listed on the roster as taller than 5-foot-6 - Flack (5-7), Brewer (5-10) and Little (5-10).
"We always want to play tough defense," said Underwood. "If we can get some offense from our defense, that's what we want. We're going to be a smaller team with quickness. Pressuring our opponent might be something we look at doing."
Jessica Bedke is the leading scorer among the returning players for Underwood. She averaged 12 points per game last season and shot 80 percent from the free throw line and 35 percent from three-point range.
The Lady Squires open the season tonight at Lakeland Christian Academy in a varsity-only contest.
After games with Bluffton (Friday), Mississinewa (Nov. 20), Winamac (Nov. 24), Oak Hill (Nov. 28) and Lewis Cass (Nov. 30), Manchester will open the TRC season Dec. 5 by hosting Northfield.
Underwood said he believes Wabash is the favorite to win the TRC.
"Wabash was 20-4 last year, and they have their top two scorers back," said Underwood. "Any time you have that combination, it usually ends up good."
Outside of the conference, Underwood's team will be tested early in the season by Oak Hill and Winamac.
Oak Hill returns a number of players from last year's team that was 27-2 and lost by two points in the state championship game. Oak Hill is currently ranked No. 1 in Class 2A.
Winamac was 19-5 last season and lost in the regional championship game. Winamac is currently ranked No. 8 in Class 2A.
"A lot of times with a young team, you struggle to find consistency from day to day," said Underwood. "We're a young team. We're going to use patience, and we're going to work hard every day and get better. As long as the girls work hard to improve and have a good attitude about it, we'll be happy."
