By Chris Parker
Richland girls basketball will have a different look in coach Jon Hall’s second season at the helm. The Lady Bears return just one starter and three bench players from last season’s 16-win team.
“I think with such a young team I think our leaders will be determined in the first couple weeks of practice,” Hall said. “Here are some ideas though. Breah Morris will be a defensive leader and our only returning varsity starter. Lily Gibson could be one of our other leaders, because she is our other senior and had some varsity playing time last year as well.”
Sophomore Lexi Burns and sophomore Monica Smith both came off the bench last year and will see expanded roles this year.
The sophomore and freshmen classes will be key for Richland this year. The group went 29-1 in junior high while the junior varsity players went 8-4 last season.
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The sophomore group includes Burns, Monica Smith and Andelyn Wans. The freshman group includes Addison Knoeck and Kamryn Kardosz.
While many players will be new to the varsity level, they will not be new to playing with each other.
“Playing together (will be a strength). A lot of these girls have grown up together and won at every level they have been at,” Hall said.
Richland opens the season on Nov. 19 at the Vienna shootout.
“I think we are going to hopefully surprise a lot of people,” Hall said. “These girls grew up winning a lot of games when they were younger.”
