Central Girls Basketball Preview: Warriors return strong nucleus
The Central girls basketball team includes (front, left to right) Mya Gregerson, Oakley Armstrong, Brylee Erickson, Zoey Armstrong, Payton Stannard, Madelyn Pope, Isabella Schantz; (back) Blair Scherf, Katie Royer, Tenley Meyer, Layla Embretson, Natalya Singleton, Avery Fette, Carlie Bergan and Raelynn Coanner. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The Central girls basketball team returns a strong nucelus this season, with nine of the 15 players on the roster seeing time at the varsity level a year ago.
As a result, head coach Mark Wiley said the Warriors have a good understanding of the basic offensive and defensive components that will be implemented this season.
“We will continue to work on adding more within our offense and defense,” he continued, “and we want to become more efficient on the offensive end by knowing our second and third options in offenses and set plays.”
Among the returners are three seniors: Oakley Armstrong, Layla Embretson and Katie Royer. Armstrong, a guard, led Central in assists a year ago and Wiley looks for her to be back on track from beyond the arc this season. Embretson will also contribute big minutes, providing length inside as a forward. Wiley believes her preparation over the summer and goals for the season will make her more efficient around the hoop. Royer was pegged with the responsibility of defending the other teams’ best player a season ago, and her versatility on defense will again be vital to Central’s success.
Juniors Brylee Erickson and Raelynn Coanner and sophomore Blair Scherf are three other key returners. Erickson has been the Warrior point guard for two seasons, and Wiley said she will fill that role again, with an added emphasis on shooting the basketball from the perimeter. Coanner was also reliable last year, always willing to do what was needed.
“She saw time in 14 varsity games last season and was instrumental in helping us in practices and games,” Wiley said.
Last year as a freshman, Scherf stepped up to lead Central in rebounding and points scored and was selected as a second team all-conference player.
In addition, Wiley looks for continued contributions from sophomores Payton Stannard, Natalya Singleton and Mya Gregerson, who all saw valuable varsity time last season.
“These girls were really thrown into the mix right away and had to learn by doing. With a season under their belt at the varsity level, we look for them to be bigger contributors in every category,” Wiley said.
Central has a good group of freshman as well, in Zoey Armstrong, Carlie Bergan, Avery Fette, Tenley Meyer and Madelyn Pope.
According to Wiley, “these five players have a basic understanding and will grow drastically over the next six to eight weeks to provide more depth at the varsity level.”
Among the Warriors’ goals this season is to, first and foremost, be competitive each night. The team plays a tough non-conference schedule, including match-ups with some ranked teams, and that’s where Wiley believes they will learn more about themselves.
“We want to be effective on the offensive and defensive ends in a game. This is where we need to play as a team to successfully achieve that ‘complete’ all-around game,” he said. “Success is working together as a team, becoming more efficient with our possessions on the offensive end.”
Central kicked off the season last week with a win over Tripoli.
