A spike in numbers is what new Jennifer Young, new head coach of the Exeter girls basketball team, will contribute to growth in the program and in wins.
Starting the season at 1-1, with a loss to Southwest, 44-41, and win over Thomas Jefferson, 52-37, the Lady Tigers have seven letter-winners returning to the squad, and even more newcomers aiming to contribute.
We have good numbers this year and I think the excitement of a new coach is giving them a new spark for the game,” Young said. “They are ready to learn new things and know change is going to be good. My hope is that everyone that sees us play will see we are a whole new team from last year and see great strides of improvement.”
Leading that charge will be two seniors, two juniors and three sophomores that saw significant time on the court a year ago.
“Natalie Crumpler, senior guard, will be leading the team this year,” Young said. “She’s the leading scorer from last year I expect big things from Natalie this yea. She has a pretty good basketball IQ and can execute the offense. Makenze Shaw, senior shooting guard, I expect to be a big help for us on the defensive end, and we have set some goals for her offensively for each game and started working over the summer to make those things happen.
“Dawnee Sorenson, junior forward, came in the gym quite a bit over the summer, and we worked on footwork and some different types of shots that she isn’t used to shooting. We are just trying to create some opportunities for her to score and get to the free throw line. Trinity Atkinson, junior small forward, is a hard worker and willing to try whatever you ask of her, she may end up playing a little bit of every position by the end of the year.”
Sophomores joining the upperclassmen include a trio of shooting guards in Shea Hilburn, Zeanndrea Brown and Gracie McCracken.
“In the past, Shea has played a small forward position, but we are going to move her to a shooting guard,” Young said. “She’s really quick and can handle the ball and will be a big help on the defensive end as well. Zeanndrea may be out this season due to broken hand, but she will be on the bench for now keeping stats. I’m just really getting to know Gracie as a player, but she’s very quick getting up and down the floor and sees the floor very well.”
Four more newcomers to the squad will have opportunities to make their impact, as well.
“Incoming freshmen Jaylee Hawkins and Beatriz Alcaraz are going to be a crucial part of our team this year and will see a lot of varsity minutes,” Young said. “They are both shooting guards and are both very quick. Beatriz is a great shooter and is very aggressive defensively. I think Jaylee is going to get a lot of steals for us this year. She anticipates the pass very well and isn’t afraid to get on the floor. She never gives up.
“Newcomer Honesty Hall is a sophomore shooting guard. She is new to basketball, but I think she’s going to catch on quickly. Also, freshman Lily Stevenson, who is a small forward, will be joining us. She will see quite a few minutes and help on the varsity, as well.”
Going 4-21 last season, young said the team’s main goal is player retention, and win benchmarks are being evaluated, too.
“First of all, ending the season with the same 14 girls we are starting with would be a win,” she said. “And second, we do have a goal of winning at least two games before Christmas, then re-evaluate during Christmas break and set a new goal.”
Keys to achieving those goals, Young said, will be teamwork and learning a press that will work for the squad.
Exeter plays next in the Pierce City Invitational, which runs this week, Monday to Saturday.
The Lady Tigers’ home opener is on Monday against School of the Ozarks.
