By Chris Parker
Marion C. Early girls basketball returns a senior and trio of juniors to lead the team coming off a district championship winning season. The Lady Panthers posted a 21-8 record last year on the way to claiming the Class 2 District 13 title.
Juniors Maggie Painter, Hailey Presley and Taylor Blehm and senior Kylie Maxwell are the returning upperclassmen.
Blehm was named to the all-district team as a sophomore where she averaged 14.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
“She was our leading scorer last year and gives us a good inside and outside game on the offensive end. She also gives us size inside on the defensive end.,” Gerleman said.
Painter is the team’s starting point guard who averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
“She’s our point guard and sets the tone on both ends of the floor for us,” Gerleman said. “We are looking for some added scoring from her this season.”
Presley, the start pitcher for the softball team in the fall, averaged 4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game as a sophomore.
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF THE WINTER PREVIEWS
“She is athletic and long. Creates turnovers for us and gets a lot of deflections,” Gerleman said.
Maxwell is the team’s lone senior.
“She is our only senior this year and we are looking for her to lead by example and push the younger kids to get better,” Gerleman said. “These kids all excel in the classroom and set a good example for our school.”
Sophomore Lily Thompson also returns after playing in 26 games last season averaging 2.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1 steal per game.
“Lilly is a tall athletic post who runs the floor well,” Gerleman said. “We are looking for her to finish around the basket and grab lots of rebounds this year.”
Classmates Macie Letterman, Miya Bess and Addie Bess will step up to varsity after strong freshman seasons on JV.
“These girls helped lead our JV program last year and will be looked upon often at the varsity level this year,” Gerleman said. “They will add some outside shooting and quickness of the defensive end.”
This year’s team will have both speed and size.
“We will have a balance of size and speed this season. This should help on the offensive and defensive end of the floor,” Gerleman said. “Our overall team defense and rebounding will be a big focus area for us this winter. With the size and speed we will have we should be able to improve in both areas.”
Morrisville opens the regular season on Nov. 21 at home against Diamond.
“I want our team to be known for our effort and defensive intensity every time we step on the floor,” Gerleman said. “Also, I want people to see us working as a team to achieve our goals.”
