Lady Rebs look to underclassmen in 2018
Leading up to the start of the 2018 campaign has been a bit of a surreal experience for Hays Lady Rebels basketball head coach Danny Preuss.
Several weeks ago, projected starting point guard Jasmine Taylor had surgery to repair a torn ACL and will miss the entire season. Prior to that happening, Preuss lost an experienced junior player whose family moved out of state to Boise, Idaho.
Amid the trials and tribulations, Preuss is looking ahead with a roster consisting of mostly underclassmen. With some key elements returning from last season, Preuss and his program aim to contend for the postseason in a crowded field.
“Their aspirations are high. They want to win a lot of games and make the playoffs. It’s a nine-team district and there are a few added teams and proven teams, but I also feel like there are a lot of teams that have a shot. We’re one of them.”
–Danny Preuss, Hays Lady Rebels head coach
“Their aspirations are high. They want to win a lot of games and make the playoffs,” Preuss said. “It’s a nine-team district and there are a few added teams and proven teams, but I also feel like there are a lot of teams that have a shot. We’re one of them.”
Hays returns several key players including sophomore Lily Guevara, who notched a starting spot as a freshman during the 2017 season.
Preuss said that, while Guevara is playing as a small forward during the preseason, he hopes to move her out to the wing to take advantage of her range. Also coming back will be 6-foot, 3-inch sophomore post Trista Strasser, along with sophomore guard Madison Logan, who will be one of two underclassmen pointguards orchestrating the Rebel offense.
They will be tasked with filling the shoes of alumna Gabby Bosquez, who over the course of her four-year career at Hays was a key go-to player.
While filling Bosquez’ shoes will be a challenge, Preuss said it could also allow the Lady Rebels to move the ball around and avoid funneling everything to one person.
“I’m excited because we’re moving the ball a lot better. We need everyone to be successful and we can’t rely on one person. We have to rely on each other,” Preuss said. “Part of that is depending on one another and moving the ball around and working for the best shot we can.”
Providing help will be four seniors, three of whom will get their first varsity experience in 2018. Preuss said he anticipates his eight to nine person rotation possibly consisting of six underclassmen at a time this season.
During a recent scrimmage Saturday, Preuss said he was “pleasantly surprised” at how the team played minus several key players.
They will all be tasked with taking on a district teeming with competition. Westlake, which brings back a handful of returning players, is expected to be the front-runner, along with Lake Travis and Bowie. The addition of Del Valle and Akins, who have excelled in girls basketball in recent years, could add parity.
“There’s going to be about five teams fighting for those last three playoff spots,” Preuss said. “I’d like to be one of those teams that can do it.”
Hays opens the 2018 season Nov. 2 at home against Houston Aldine. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
