By Chris Parker
Exeter girls basketball has a new head coach and strong numbers entering this season. The Tigers are looking for the program’s first win since the 2020-21 season.
“We have good numbers this year and I think the excitement of a new coach is giving them a new spark for the game,” Exeter head coach Jennifer Young said. “They are ready to learn new things and know change is going to be good.”
Six letterwinners in Natalie Crumpler (senior), Makenze Shaw (senior), Dawnee Sorensen (junior), Trinity Atkinson (sophomore), Shea Hilburn (sophomore), Zeanndrea Brown (sophomore) and Gracie McCracken return.
Young on Crumpler: “She will be leading the team this year. She’s the leading scorer from last year. I expect big things from Natalie this year. She has a pretty good basketball IQ and can execute the offense.”
Young on Shaw: “I expect Makenze to be a big help for us on the defensive end, and we have set some goals for her offensively for each game. We started working over the summer to make those things happen.”
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Young on Sorensen: “Dawnee came in the gym quite a bit over the summer and we worked on footwork and some different types of shots that she isn’t used to shooting. We are just trying to create some opportunities for her to score and get to the free throw line.”
Young on Atkinson: “Trinity is a hard worker and willing to try whatever you ask of her. She may end up playing a little bit of every position by the end of the year.”
Young on Hilburn: “Shea has played a small forward position, but we are going to move her to a shooting guard. She’s really quick and can handle the ball and will be a big help on the defensive end as well.”
Young on Brown: “She may be out this season due to broken hand, but she will be on the bench for now keeping stats.”
Young on McCracken: “I’m just really getting to know Gracie as a player but she’s very quick getting up and down the floor and see’s the floor very well.”
Freshmen Jaylee Hawkins, Beatriz Alcaraz and Lily Stevenson will look to make immediate varsity impacts. Honesty Hall (sophomore) and Eve Chaddock (senior) will also be newcomers.
Exeter opens the season on Nov. 20 at Thomas Jefferson as they work towards new goals.
“First of all, ending the season with the same 14 girls we are starting with would be a win,” Young said. “Second, we do have a goal of winning at least two games before Christmas then re-evaluate during Christmas break and set a new goal.”
