By Chris Parker
Bradleyville girls basketball has a new head coach in Emily Todd this season. Todd served as an assistant at Bradleyville for the past three seasons. She inherits a program with no returning starters from last season’s 12-win team.
“We have a completely new look this year with no returning starters and only five returning lettermen,” Todd said. “We are young and do not have a ton of varsity experience as a whole. However, I am excited to see what will happen this season. We are eager, hungry, and not afraid to work. This season I look for us to pride ourselves in our defense and let that create our offense. Since we are small, I look to play a fast-paced style game and push the ball every chance we get. I pride myself in shaping young women that understand the values of teamwork, competition, hard work, and grit. Those things are what we will hang our hats on this season.”
Jacquelyn Clemans (senior), Olivia Maggard (senior), Hannah Hampton (senior) and Harley Guerin (sophomore) will be team leaders this season.
Todd on Clemans: “Is our returning sixth man from last season. Jacquelyn is the type of player that will contribute in any position she is asked to play. Her capability to post up and shoot the three will stretch defenses and give our team an added dimension. She’s a tough defender who plays bigger than her size. She leads by example both on and off the court. We will look for her to become more vocal this season as she assumes a larger leadership role.”
Todd on Maggard: “Olivia transferred to us from Chadwick and we are thrilled to have her. She had a fantastic summer learning the ropes of our program and playing with her new teammates. Despite this being her first year as a Lady Eagle, I expect her to be one of our team leaders. She’s a hard worker that is finding her voice. She plays much bigger than her frame on both offense and defense, and is a great example of a ‘never back down’ attitude.”
Todd on Hampton: “Hannah is back for her senior season after taking a year off. I am excited to see what she will accomplish this season on the court. Her 5’11 frame gives our team some much needed size and I look forward to watching her anchor our defense in the paint. Hannah is a great student and will be a vocal leader for us this season.”
Todd on Guerin: “Despite being a sophomore, Harley will be a leader for us this season. She is young, hard-nosed, and has a love for the game. Harley is the type of player that leads by example and lets her hard work and competitive drive speak for itself. Offensively, she has a motor that never quits. Her speed and high IQ allows her to take defenders off the dribble. As her shot develops, she will become a huge offensive weapon for us. Defensively, she will draw a tough assignment each night. She’s tough, smart, and has high energy.”
Angel Puffett (junior), Arica Todd (sophomore) and Emma Smith (sophomore) also return for Bradleyville.
Coach Todd on Puffett: “Angel brings athleticism and an ability to run the court. She has great hands on defense and is a slasher on offense. We will look to her to contribute major minutes this season and fully embrace a permanent role on the team.”
Coach Todd on Arica Todd: “Arica is an athletic sophomore that will make the jump to a more permanent role on the varsity team. She had a great season of JV last year and we are excited to see how she will contribute in the upcoming year. Her aggressive and heads up defense will be her best asset. As she develops offensively, I expect big things from her.”
Coach Todd on Smith: “Emma is another sophomore who had a great year on JV last season. She will make the jump to varsity this season and we will look for her to contribute right away. Emma is an aggressive defender who has the ability to knock down the 3-point basket. I look for her to grow tremendously early in the season and be a big factor for us.”
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Freshman Abby VanWinsen, Kaleah Moore, and Sierra Sims will all likely see time at the varsity level. Junior Amely Meltke has not played since junior high but will be asked to contribute right away.
Todd on VanWinsen: “Would compete for one of the most naturally gifted athletes on the team. Abby has always played in the post but is becoming more comfortable in a small forward position. She is long and quick. As she becomes more confident in her own ability, I look for big things to come from her.”
Todd on Moore: “Gritty, tough defender who will provide a spark of defense energy off the bench. Offensively she is the best definition of a pure point guard. She is the perfect mixture of slashing to the basket and outside shooting. As she becomes more comfortable with the ball in her hands, I look for big things to happen from her.”
Todd on Sims: “Sierra is a streaky shooter who is learning the ropes of our defensive scheme. I look for her to become more comfortable in the post and develop an offensive game that stretches defenses with her natural three point shooting capabilities.”
Todd on Meltke: “Amely is a naturally gifted athlete that will have to learn the ropes of our program. She will provide depth in the post position and give us another option for rebounding.”
Defensive and speed will be this team’s calling card.
“We are small, quick, and hungry defensively. As they learn and grow in the rotations and details of our defensive scheme, I believe we will surprise some people with how solid we are,” Todd said. “We will use our speed to our advantage this season. I look for us to play a fast-paced style game where we push the ball offensively and pressure you defensively.”
Bradleyville opens the season on Nov. 28 at home against Seymour.
