Girls basketball prepares for season

The girls basketball team returns a core group of players to their squad this season, including four starters. They have also added depth that the team has not seen in a long time, and Coach Kevin Cotner feels his team will be able to go nine or 10 deep on any given night.

"The depth will provide great flexibility and options as to how you want to attack an opponent, whether it be the press, transition or defensive schemes," said Cotner.

Susie Ruettgers, Danelle Allen, Nicole Meadors, Marin Allen, Chelsie McConville, Hannah Boles and Brittany Birkland all return to the varsity squad.

Ruettgers (senior) and McConville (junior) had a tremendous off-season with a Portland-based travel program, and were able to travel with players from all over the state and play in some of the biggest basketball tournaments in the country.

"That experience has undoubtedly helped them become improved basketball players on so many levels," said Cotner. "Both players made huge gains physically, but more important they made huge gains in the mental aspect of the game."

Danelle Allen (senior) is also back as a veteran varsity player.

"Danelle has come into the season with a renewed passion for the game," said Cotner. "Her work ethic and positive attitude have helped create the positive culture and team identity that has surrounded our team so far. She has the ability to impact our team in so many ways."

Cotner said that Meadors plays the game with the utmost intensity and will continue to be one of their most important players.

Birkeland returns to the team from an ACL injury during the preseason last season. The team will look to Brittany to be a crucial piece to the puzzle.

"Brittany has the ability to be one of the best rebounders in the league," said Cotner, "and she can use her size to match up with some of the best posts in the state."

Cotner stated that Hannah Boles has continued to improve her skills and will remain a crucial part of the team. Cotner added that Boles' confidence as a player improves daily as she challenges other members of the team to get better.

Rounding out the veteran varsity players is second team all-league point guard Marin Allen (junior).

"She is our sparkplug," said Cotner. "She has grown a couple of inches since last year, thank heavens, and I look for her to continue to focus on becoming a floor leader and to continue to fill the emotional tanks of her teammates."

New to the team this year are junior Whittney Hansen, sophomores Taylor Walker and Elise Herron, and freshman Taylor Nieri.

Hansen is a transfer from Santa Clara, California, and according to Cotner will be an asset to the team.

"Whitney has a passion for the game and is working to acclimate to our school and basketball system," said Cotner. "She is relentless on the boards and has a great understanding of the game."

Walker comes to the Outlaws from Prineville, and Cotner says she is a true competitor on the court.

"She is as coachable as they come and will surely be an impact player on our team," said Cotner. "She has the ability to play about three different positions and brings a pretty solid skill set."

Cotner told The Nugget that Elise Herron will bring tenacity to the defensive end which will make her an invaluable player.

"Elise has a great attitude and is a defensive stopper. I think that she has the ability to be a shut-down defender in our league," said Cotner. "The great thing about her is that she gets better every day as she battles with some of the older girls."

Rounding out the newcomers is Taylor Nieri.

"She is only a freshman but has the ability to play a number of positions," said Cotner. "She is extremely athletic on the basketball court which makes her an asset to our program. Her ability to get down the court quickly will allow her to score transition buckets for us. It's a big jump from eighth-grade ball to varsity basketball, but 'T-Payne' closes the gap everyday."

Cotner told The Nugget that the thing he loves about his team this year is that they are providing the younger and incoming varsity players with tremendous leadership and a positive learning environment.

"There are no agendas or power struggles with this group," said Cotner. "I believe that the leadership on this team is willing to sacrifice individual success for the greater good of the team, which is a crucial component on any successful and winning team. And vice versa, I also believe that we have players willing to play 'the role' and who understand that it is OK to be a role player."

The Lady Outlaws will have their work cut out for them, as the Sky-Em League is the toughest league in the state and includes returning state champion La Pine along with Marist and Cottage Grove. All three teams are ranked in the top four in the state this year.

Despite the tough competition, Coach Cotner remains optimistic.

"I think that people will see a different basketball team with a different attitude this year," said Cotner. "I think we'll be able to match up very well with the teams in our league, and we're working relentlessly to improve our mental toughness. We played a pretty rigid summer schedule with teams from all over the state, which will help, and we have players that are committed to the greater good of the team."