New Faces Abound for CM Girls’ Basketball
by John Lipez
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Young is an understatement when you describe this year’s Central Mountain Lady Wildcat basketball team.
How young? Of the 20 girls out, there is but one senior and two juniors, the other 17 divided among freshmen and sophomores.
For whatever reason three or four underclassmen who logged a lot of minutes a season ago are not participating this year, the net result no returning letter-winners.
Because of the collective inexperience head coach Lindsey Rogers told The Record she and assistant Kate Kishbaugh will be “focusing on developing skills and utilizing our offenses.”
Acknowledging their youth, Rogers said it’s a “hard-working and bright group and the coaches are “very excited to be working with them.”
“Our returning girls have been doing a great job at leading the team vocally and by example.” Rogers said the two team captions are junior Katie Parks and sophomore Emily Strouse.
Returning from last year and looking to make the varsity squad rotation, in addition to Parks and Strouse, are sophomores Lydia McCaleb and Mary Monoski and senior Lacey Kitner. The rest of the rotation will be from among the many underclassmen.
The Lady Wildcats have a vexing schedule. As Rogers noted, “With it being such a young team, we know we will face challenges at all levels, especially when we play powerhouse schools such as Altoona and Hollidaysburg.”
She said both players and coaches must be patient this season, “but I have no doubt that if the girls continue to work hard that will see growth in their season.”
First action for the Lady ‘Cats will be this Friday and Saturday at the Mifflin County Tip-Off Tournament.
The home opener will be next Wednesday with Montoursville. Rogers noted the team will again host the annual Coaches vs. Cancer game on Feb. 3, the opponent Bellefonte.
