By Chris Parker
The McAuley Catholic girls posted a 21-win season last year, which was the first 20-win season since at least 2009.
Senior Taylor Schiefelbein along with sophomores Kayleigh Teeter and Kennedy DeRuy return from that team. Schiefelbein averaged eight points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals per game last year. Teeter was right with her at eight points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals per game. DeRuy chipped in four points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal per game.
After that group, coach Mike Howard will be looking to develop more options on varsity.
“We have three or four players with extended varsity experience, but the rest of the team will have to acclimate to the speed of the varsity game,” Howard said.
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Some of those new players to watch include: Gliza Damaso, Abi Street and Lily Black.
Speed will be a strength for McAuley Catholic this year.
“Our biggest strength will be our speed and transition offense,” Howard said.
There will be a learning curve for this team, but Howard is not lowering expectations.
“My expectations have always been high for any team I’ve ever coached. We will have some growing pains in the beginning, but I expect them to grow and mature every single day and to be competitive every single night,” Howard said.
McAuley Catholic opens the season on Nov. 26 at Liberal.
