Jonathan Alder’s varsity girls hoop squad is pictured from left, front row, Reggan Gray, Natalie Heflin and Evan Platfoot; second row, Olivia Zuro, Maddie Wilson, Nora Sheridan and Avery Hecht; back row, Mary Ferrito, Emma Shepherd, head coach Steve Cawley, Katie LeMaster and Ellie Heisler. (Photo submitted)
Although Jonathan Alder’s girls hoop squad lost a talented group of seniors from last year’s team, head coach Steve Cawley isn’t pushing the panic button.
The Lady Pioneers lost approximately 45 points per game with the graduations of Sydney Bourqin, Abby Jones, Melissa Walbom, Sophie Zawodny, Sydnie Bushong and Grace Salzler.
Bourquin, Jones and Walbom were three-year starters.
There are, however, several returning lettermen who can put the ball in the basket.
Junior guard Mary Ferrito is the top returning scorer as she averaged nine points per game.
Junior wing Emma Shepherd, fresh off a 2020 Division II volleyball state Final Four squad, scored at a 5.2 pace a year ago.
Additional veterans include post Maddie Wilson (3.8 ppg), guard Reggan Gray (1.0) and wing Ellie Heisler (1.0).
Newcomers to the varsity roster include guard Evan Platfoot, posts Hannah Beach and Olivia Zurro and wing Natalie Heflin.
Several of the newcomers to the squad will be counted on to help pick up the scoring slack caused by last year’s graduations.
Cawley said he’s also counting on Ferrito and Shepherd to take over as leaders of the ball club.
“We return two very good starters in Mary and Emma,” said the coach. “We’ve also got team versatility in some of our new players this season.”
Cawley acknowledged losing so many seniors from last year’s 23-4 squad won’t be easy to overcome.
“We’re young and graduated a lot of talent, points and experience,” he said. “Depth will be a big key this year, especially with COVID.
“A big question is can we do all the little things we were able to do in the past two years with our experience?” he said.
The Lady Pioneers won the Kenton Trail Division title of the Central Buckeye Conference a year ago.
They also went on to capture a Division II district championship.
Cawley said he feels the team can once again challenge for a divisional crown.
“Tecumseh (which finished a game behind Alder) returns all five starters,” said Cawley.
“They are going to be a tough opponent.”