Central Mountain Girls Hoops Looking for Improvement
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – There is only one way for the Central Mountain girls’ basketball program to go and that is up. And with a ton of letter-winners returning, coach Lindsey Rogers and her staff are looking for improvement.
Last season’s winless slate has been wiped clean as the Lady Wildcats prepare for the 2014-15 opener this Friday at Bald Eagle Area.
And it can only get better with all five starters returning from last year: senior Katie Parks and four juniors in Lydia McCaleb, Grayson McCloy, Mary Monoski and Emily Strouse.
They’ll be backed by three letter-winning sophomores in Alexis Anastos, Elaina Eckley and Averie Pringle.
In addition there are some additional sophomores among a squad of 20 working for some varsity time.
Coach Rogers said the returnees have put their work in, playing in a Philipsburg fall league and participating in the Susquehanna University Shootout.
The goal, as always, Rogers told The Record, is to build from last season, given that all letter-winners but one return from a year ago. It’s time, she said, to “move past last season’s mistakes; we need to learn what it takes to win games and keep playing at that competitive level.”
With three juniors and a senior now in their third year of varsity ball, Rogers said she is expecting to see some great things from individual players.
It’s back to conference play this winter, Central Mountain now part of the District 4-oriented Heartland Conference. Rogers said she isn’t sure what to expect but said there are some very competitive teams that play at a fast pace.
She said it is good to be back in a league, “It has been several years since we were in the Mountain League and our girls had the opportunity to vie for a league championship and individual league honors.”
Rogers said she looks forward to playing some different teams to see how her team competes with them. New league foes will include Shamokin, Danville, Mifflinburg and Midd-West.
The Lady Wildcats will remain a part of District 6 for any postseason opportunities and the February portion of the schedule includes matchups with District 6 Quad-A foes Mifflin County and Altoona.
After Friday’s trip to BEA, Central Mountain has its home opener next Wednesday against Shikellamy.
