Girls hoops prepares for upcoming season

The girls basketball team will return seniors Olivia Stewart and Nina Horner to their varsity squad this year, and first-year-Coach Casey Pallister expects strong contributions from the duo, both in terms of skill and leadership.

Stewart is an inside player who can shoot, has great inside technique, can make great plays, and is able to get to the foul line a lot. Horner has strength in the post position, but can also shoot the ball. Nina is expected to provide great defense inside, and be a force at rebounding the ball.

Sisters will miss Bethany Bachmeier, who is out due to injury. Pallister is not sure if Bachmeier will be able to play at all this season, but noted that Bethany has put a huge effort into her game.

"Even though Bethany might not be able to play, she is at every practice, and helping to support her teammates," said Pallister. "She has been a great role model."

Eight new players will join the squad, including juniors Jules Meeter, Hogan Hernandez, and Johanna Geisen, sophomore Rylee Weber, and freshmen Lexie Stewart, Meaghan Greaney, Sydney Head and Molly Winter.

Meeter is showing a lot of promise as an inside-outside player, with great defensive effort and hustle. Weber is athletic and fast, and is an aggressive defender. Stewart is a strong, fearless player, and also has great speed.

Pallister told The Nugget that he is very fortunate to have a group of girls and coaches who buy into a team-first approach to the game.

"We're working hard every day in practice, and there's a positive atmosphere," said Pallister. "Our goals are to compete at our highest potential against every opponent, and to never be out-hustled in a game, no matter who we play. We also are working to instill strong leadership skills among players in order to increase player ownership of the team. The program places a huge emphasis on defensive effort and grittiness, so we expect to be in excellent condition and ready to play physical basketball."