By Moses Leos III.
The squeaks of sneakers and thumping dribbles on the hardwood can mean only one thing: basketball season is close at hand.
On Oct. 16, the Lady Lobos and Lady Rebels began preseason practice, with their first games taking place in about a week.
Both Lehman High head coach Jamie Coy and Hays High head coach Danny Preuss are working hard to prepare their teams for the grueling schedule.
They also are preparing for life without some key basketball players.
LEHMAN
Lehman guard Olivia Marzullo dribbles down court during a Lehman basketball preseason practice. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
Last season was a tremendous success for the Lehman girls basketball team.
The Lady Lobos posted their best record in the Jamie Coy era, going 18-18, and narrowly missing the playoffs in a play-in game loss to Boerne Champion.
But for Coy, who enters her fifth year, the transition to 2013-14 started once Karsholynn Brown, Ariana Gallegos, Ashley Stephens and Bria Cheatham walked the graduation stage.
With much of last season’s experience gone, the team looks to mimic and exceed that success.
It began over the summer, as many of the Lady Lobos participated in summer basketball leagues. Coy felt their participation aided in further development.
“Any time the girls have the chance to play over the summer, it will make them better, regardless [of] who they play with,” Coy said.
During offseason workouts, Coy worked with her squad to place a higher priority on working as a team.
Guard Olivia Marzullo felt that was one of the key building blocks during the offseason. Ensuring the team maintains a high level of accountability will help bolster success.
Being able to have a group of leaders will be the key.
“I can see a big difference in the level of teamwork,” Marzullo said. “This year, there’s more spirit within every individual.”
Also changing is the game play of the team. Where the team had Stephens and Cheatham to work in the post, they now must focus on a faster, transition-based style of play.
It starts with the point guards, known as the quarterbacks of the basketball team.
“Our point guards are coming along well,” Coy said. “They are learning to handle ball pressure, to keep their eyes up and transition from defense to offense.”
Coy also anticipates the playing ability of Cheyenne Morgan, Kayla Johnson and Starr Rivers.
As the season draws near, Coy and her team want to “create a culture” of success. Marzullo said hustle and communication are necessary to achieve that success.
It all begins with teamwork.
“From start to finish, we play as a team, we hustle as a team,” Coy said. “As long as we keep our eye on the prize, we’ll be successful.”
HAYS
2013 proved to be another successful season for the tradition-rich Hays Lady Rebel basketball program. Since the 1996-97 season, the Lady Rebels have missed the playoffs only once, in 2007-08.
Last year, the Lady Rebels reached the playoffs for the fourth straight season under head coach Danny Preuss. With a senior-laden group, the team finished as co-champions of 27-4A with Schertz Clemens and Kerrville Tivy, reaching the bi-district round of the playoffs.
The departure of four seniors who contributed to Hays’ success – Lindsey McCurdy, Jennifer Colonnetta, Rachel Calabrese and Kamryn Kent– will leave a large gap for the team to fill.
But Preuss and a team brimming with upperclassmen look to meet the challenge.
Many of the upperclassmen said preseason practices have been intense, with a higher focus on increasing the team mentality. Mostly, players note they are unable to rely on one or two players to produce on the court. The team must work to find as many shooters get open as possible.
“We don’t have a lot of superstars,” senior Courtney Lord said. “We really have to work together as a team.”
As a result, the squad feels they’re able to work at a faster tempo than last season. Their conditioning and work ethic allows them to push the floor.
“I feel like this year is more intense,” senior Jordyne Duggar said. “We’re faster, we are a better team…more conditioned and more disciplined.”
Working up and down the floor is one of the goals for Preuss, who is a self-professed “fastbreak coach,” stemming from his time at Lehman.
He said the ability to play at a fast pace is necessary in today’s world of basketball.
Preuss felt the team also has the capability to set up in the post as well. Gaining Duggar back from a torn ACL over the spring will bolster the team’s inside game.
“We’ll push the ball, but when we need to get into an offense, we’ll get into an offense,” Preuss said. “We’ll hammer it inside.”
Of course, experience, especially in a gritty 27-4A district, will be vital to success.
While only five players return from last year, Preuss felt they were “solid.” In addition, the newer varsity players, along with younger players, were looking “better and better every day.”
Preuss believes the team will be prepared for the district grind.
“I think the inexperience we do have, by the time district comes, we’ll have them where they need to be,” he said.
When it comes down to it – be it a relatively new lineup, or a faster pace – the goal remains the same: keep the tradition of Lady Rebel basketball alive.
“We’re Hays basketball. We expect not only to win the majority of our games and make the playoffs, but also make a deep playoff run,” Preuss said. “That’s our goal every year … to go as far as we can get.”
