Jonathan Alder’s varsity girls hoop squad is pictured from left, front row, Kenzie Bushong, Sandy Moser, Sophie Zawodny, Maggie Ridder and Sydnie Bushong; second row, Sydney Bourquin, Jillian Jakse, Maddie Wilson, Corinne Parker, Abby Jones and Marie Ferrito; back row, Emma Shepherd, assistant coach Steve McGhee, head coach Steve Cawley, assistant coach Megan King and Melissa Walbom.
(Photo submitted)
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Steve Cawley has a wealth of veterans returning as he begins his second season as Jonathan Alder High School’s girls basketball coach.
The Lady Pioneers finished the 2017-18 campaign with an overall record of 11-12 and Cawley is hoping to improve on that mark.
“We’re focusing on taking each practice and game step-by-step and playing as a team,” he said.
The bench boss has a good veteran nucleus to achieve those goals.
There are nine players on the roster who earned varsity letters a year ago.
The group is led by guard Sydney Bourquin, who averaged 13 points per game.
Additional backcourt veterans include Melissa Walbom (7.8), Sydnie Bushong (2.5), Sophie Zawodny (1.8) and MacKenzie Bushong, 1.9).
The post position for the Lady Pioneers is in good hands with Jillian Jaske (6.5) and Corinne Parker (3.7).
Abby Jones (8.8) and Emma Shepherd will play on the wings.
The lettermen will be supplemented by a handful of varsity newcomers.
They include posts Maddie Wilson and Sandy Moser and guards Maggie Ridder and Mary Ferrito.
It’s a group that Cawley hopes will improve on last year’s Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division race.
The Lady Pioneers posted an 8-5 CBC mark, which was good for fourth place in the division.
“Our division will continue to be tough,” said Cawley. “Tecumseh returns its entire starting lineup and Kenton Ridge brings back several players.
“London is joining the conference this year, which will make the division even more difficult.”
Cawley feels JA will go into the season with the ability to spread the floor and run on offense.
“We also have a lot of quality depth and athleticism,” he said.
The only concern going into the 2018-19 campaign?
“Defensive rebounding,” said Cawley. “We must improve upon that.”