By Chris Parker
Gainesville girls basketball returns six players who saw varsity action for last season’s four-win team.
“We are bringing back experience and that is something we haven’t had in a couple years,” said Gainesville head coach Lance West. “Last season was a rebuilding year and we only had two girls with varsity experience. This season we are bringing back six girls with varsity experience, including three starters and two other players that saw 20 plus minutes a game. Our team chemistry is also in a good place right now to start the year and we will continue to build off that. As long as the team has the right mindset, attitude, along with hard work and dedication, we will be able to be that competitive team we want to be.”
Bretlyn Kastning is the only returning senior among that group of six. She averaged 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
“She will be asked to play multiple positions throughout the year,” West said. “She can shoot it from long range and can battle inside in the post. Bretlyn works hard and is committed to this team. She is a player that will do anything for her team to be successful. I think she will adapt well to filling the leadership role this year.”
Juniors Sarah Hossman, Jillian Morse, Lakyn Suter and Emory Warden along with sophomore Laney Suter are the other five players returning with varsity experience.
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West on Hossman: “She averaged 3.2 ppg. along with 2.5 rpg and led our team in steals with 1.8 spg. Sarah is long and lanky, which allowed her to get a lot of deflections and steals last season. We will look for Sarah to be one of those effort leaders for us on the defensive end. Sarah has also worked on her offensive game during the offensive season and will look for to help our team on both ends of the floor.”
West on Morse: “Jillian Morse will take on the roll as our point guard for the second consecutive season. She is very quick and has showed positive signs of improvement over the off season. She has been working on her shot, trying to get more consistent, and she seems to be more comfortable and confident with the ball in her hands as we get closer to season starting.”
West on Lakyn Suter: “Lakyn Suter played around 20 minutes a game for us last year at the varsity level. She is another one that is capable of shooting the ball from deep and has been working on becoming more consistent with her shot. Lakyn averaged 2.5 ppg last season. She plays hard on the defensive end as well and we look for Lakyn to help our team stretch the floor for us offensively while bringing that tough defensive intensity.”
West on Warden: “Emory Warden also played around 20 minutes again for us last year on varsity. Emory is a player that can play multiple positions for us and will do anything that is asked out of her. She will play both the wing and post for us this year. Emory averaged 1.5 ppg and brought down 3 rebounds a game. She does a good job communicating with her teammates on the floor and we will lean on her to continue help be that vocal leader for our team.”
West on Laney Suter: “Laney Suter got to see minutes in about half of the varsity games last season. She will have the opportunity have a bigger role on the varsity team this season. She is a small forward that is scrappy and rebounds well. She has been focusing on her shot this off-season.”
Jesse Latham returns for her senior season after sitting out her junior year.
“She (Latham) is a quick and athletic guard and will help bring some depth off the bench for us this year,” West said.
Freshmen Hadley Warden, Mattie Cooley, Jessika Schaefer, Lilly Winrod, and Andrea Winrod will look to have an immediate impact on the varsity level.
“These five freshman could all be competing for varsity minutes this season,” West said. “It will ultimately be up to them on how quick they adapt and develop throughout the season to earn those minutes. I am confident that these freshman girls can learn quick and give us some depth off the bench to help our team succeed.”
Gainesville opens the season on Nov. 18 at home against Chadwick.
“What I love about this group is they will give a 110% effort every night and will do their best to compete,” West said. “Having that mindset of being a defensive-minded team is key. While on the offensive end we are going to be a patient team and value the basketball. We will be more disciplined and take better team shots. Win or lose our identity will be known for how much grit, toughness, and team discipline our girls are going to show this season.”
