Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON - Second-year Triton head girls basketball coach Paul Walker said he wants to uphold the program's high standards under his watch.
Lofty expectations considering the success the Trojan had early in the new millennium with 1A state titles in 2000 and 2001 under former head coach Mark Heeter.
The Trojans got off to a fast start in Walker's inaugural campaign by jumping out to a 6-1 record and climbing into the 1A top 10 polls.
Triton then hit a stretch where it struggled to score points and by the end of the season showed the effects of a young roster with just one senior.
Now those young players are a year older and they look to replicate the success of past Triton teams.
The Trojans return every player who played a key role from last year's team.
Walker, who believes that senior leadership is "an essential element in any organization with championship aspirations," has six seniors on this year's squad.
Lindsay Stutzman leads the way for Triton at guard. Stutzman enters as the Trojans' leading scorer.
Stutzman averaged 12.6 points per game last year with a field goal percentage of 35.7.
Kristen Dean is another senior who returns with an 11.5 points per game average. And despite being 5-foot-5, Dean was second on the team last year in rebounds with 5.1.
Dean also led the Trojans in steals and assists.
Kelly Rettinger adds size to the senior class at 5-11. Rettinger tied for the team lead in rebounds last year with 5.4 while averaging 6.7 points per game.
Seniors Bethany Clemens, Cheri Woudema and Karisa Voreis also saw time at the varsity level last year.
Walker is pleased to have a group of seniors like he has this year.
"It's not one person's team. In most instances, you're only as successful as your senior leadership. We have kids in that senior class, who have a good idea of the team concept," said Walker.
Junior Emily Sauer garnered all Northern State Conference honorable mention honors last year and looks to build on that with solid frontcourt play. Sauer was third on the team in scoring last year with 6.8 points per game to go with 3.0 rebounds per contest. Fellow junior Brittany Mason will be a contributor off the Triton bench this season.
Sophomore Megan Dean heads a group of four sophomores poised to contribute for the Trojans this year. Dean was a solid contributor for the 11-10 Trojans last year. The 5-6 guard dropped 4.1 points per game while tying for the team lead with Rettinger in rebounds at 5.4 while starting 13 games last year.
Rounding out the sophomore contingent for the Trojans are Jessica Ganshorn, Stephanie Stichter and Brooke Blackford. Stichter started 10 games for Triton last year.
With 44.3 of the 44.7 points per game average returning for the Trojans, Walker looks to play more run and gun this year.
"Hopefully we'll play a little faster. We think our overall depth is better. What we're trying to do, for lack of a better term, is open things up offensively," said Walker. "It certainly won't be break-neck but if we can get to the mid-50s every game we have a good shot."
As far as conference play is concerned, the Trojans finished 4-3 in NSC action last year. While a conference title is a long way off, Walker and Co. hope to at least be in the discussion come year's end.
"We talked about goals and one of them is, we want to have a big say in who wins conference and sectional," said Walker.
The NSC looks tough with John Glenn, Bremen and New Prairie all returning four starters from last year's team.
Triton fell to Glenn and Bremen while defeating New Prairie last year.
The sectional field is highlighted by South Central (Union Mills), Oregon-Davis and Argos.
South Central ended Triton's year 48-45 in the opening round of the sectional.
The Trojans open their season Friday at North Judson with a 7:30 tipoff.
