By Chris Parker
Salem girls basketball will look to win double-digit games for a 10th straight year with new head coach Cody Woody taking over. It is Woody’s first time coaching girls basketball after previously serving as a boys head coach.
Woody inherits a program coming off a 14-13 overall record last year. A trio of players with three years of varsity experience return in Savannah Manthey, Ashton Bowers and Avery Erway.
“They all have three years of varsity experience,” Woody said. “Savannah has the ability to score from all three levels. Ashton can really throw it in the hole. Avery has a motor that doesn’t shut off.”
Bowers led that group in scoring with 15.4 points per game to go with 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 steals. Manthey averaged 13.4 points. 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Erway added in 7.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Both Bowers and Manthey earned honorable mention all-conference honors last season.
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Fayth Kaminski and Kyleigh Woodboth return for their junior seasons.
“Fayth is huge for us on the boards. Kyleigh will help us add depth to our guard position,” Woody said.
Kaminsky averaged 4.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season.
Emily Strange is a junior transfer from Bunker who will help in the post. Cayleigh Moody returns for her senior year. Delaney Owen is an athletic junior who will help off the bench. Staci Geiger is a senior transfer from Colorado who will help in the front court. Addison Fulton is a freshman who could see time off the bench.
“We will hopefully be able to shoot the ball really well,” Woody said. “Defense will be a big key for us this year. We will hang our hat on being a scrappy team.”
Salem opens the season on Nov. 19 at the Vienna Shootout.
