By Jim Connell (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Jacob Morlan is going into his first season as the Springfield Catholic girls’ basketball coach, and he’s focused on turning a lack of size into a strong point for his team.
Junior Olivia Wilson will be the starting center for the Irish, after averaging 5.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as a sophomore. She will be able to move around on the floor and play different positions, but will often play in the low post … at 5-foot-7.
Beyond that, Morlan is hoping to send out a group of small, athletic players who will provide headaches for opponents.
“We’re young and small, but we will be a matchup problem for other teams,” Morlan said. “We will spread people out, and will make them come out and guard us.
“At the same time, we will struggle with bigs because we are severely lacking in size.”
Catholic lost the services of two key players from last year’s team, starting with junior Madison Chittenden, who was a unanimous first team all-conference pick and passed the 800-point mark for her career late last season. She transferred to Strafford.
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Emma Lucas missed much of last season with a broken wrist, and she is not playing this season as she focuses on soccer.
Returning for the Irish is a core of players who all made contributions last season, a group that will be expected to step up and play bigger roles this year.
Lindsey Murphy is a 5-foot-6 junior who averaged 8.1 points per game, while 5-foot-2 junior Jaycee Cabasi averaged 9.2 ppg and 5-foot-6 junior Lilly Edwards comes back with averages of 3.7 points and 4.0 rebounds.
Injuries have been an issue for the Irish, though. Cabasi has been battling knee problems since the start of summer and her status isn’t clear. Edwards has been in a walking boot as she is nursing an ankle injury. She is expected to be back by the season opener.
Emily Pazera is another player returning with some experience. The 5-foot-9 sophomore is athletic and should see minutes playing in the low post.
A group of four freshmen and the team’s lone senior – who is back after not playing last season – bring more depth and more young, quick players.
“With the lack of size, we’re going to have to be able to hit shots,” Morlan said. “If we can’t shoot well as a group, we’re going to be in trouble. But if we can stretch the defense out and hit some shots, we can be dangerous.
“We have to rebound as a team. With our lack of size, if we don’t rebound as a team, we’ll be in trouble.”
Addyson Wilgus is a 5-foot-4 senior who should see some time at point guard, with freshmen Hannah Demster (5-foot-8), Emily Franklin (5-foot-5), Samantha Messerly (5-foot-6) and Ella Lippelman (5-foot-4) all poised to play significant minutes.
“I think we’ll guard real well and will be real balanced offensively,” Morlan said. “I don’t think we will have a girl who will score 15 or 20 points a night, but we have a big bunch of players who will be able to score for us.
“We can all shoot, all guard and all pass.”
