Seasoned.
With two full-time starters returning, three additional players who started at least 10 games in 2007-08 also back and nine letterwinners in all, Boone Central Girls Basketball Coach Mike Kennedy certainly has experience to work with this season.
Kennedy will have a well-rounded squad, with returning players at every position, solid height and confidence coming off a successful 12-9 campaign.
It all sets up an optimistic outlook for 2008-09.
“Our team is very anxious to get the basketball season underway,” the veteran Card mentor commented last week. “We are returning nine of our top 11 players from a good basketball team last year and believe we can achieve all of the goals we have set as a team.”
The Lady Cards will be paced by a pair of seniors who earned postseason honors a year ago.
Forward Stephanie Paulson (5-11) will give Boone Central a strong inside presence after averaging 12 points and seven rebounds last season. Guard Brittany Luettel (5-9) returns with her all-around game. Luettel averaged 7.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 4.1 assists in 2007-08.
They will be ably supported by three players who started 10 or more games a year ago.
Senior foward Emily Wells (5-8) will provide help in the paint after posting junior averages of 4.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest. Junior guard Erica Carder (5-6) averaged 4.9 points and 2.0 rebounds last season and provides a three-point shooting threat. Sophomore Bobbi Beckwith (5-9) had an impressive freshman varsity campaign, averaging 5.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game as one of the most athletic players on the team.
Kennedy will also count on major contributions from four additional letterwinners. Junior center Cara Struebing (6-1) scored 3.5 points and grabbed 2.4 rebounds per game in 2007-08. Senior guard Julia Temme (5-9) is another outside shooter who contributed 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds as a junior. Junior Lindsay Temme (5-9) is a physical battler inside and quick senior Paige Kolm (5-4) will share some point guard duties.
Cardinal coaches also expect juniors Marissa Koch (5-2), Kenzie Pelster (5-4) and Savannah Baker (5-3) to be in the mix for minutes.
Kennedy, 168-175 in a long career at Petersburg and Boone Central, knows he has a lot of tools in the box this season.
“We have great leadership from a strong senior class,” he praised. “We are expecting a great season at Boone Central.”
Kennedy is assisted by Justin DeWitt and Duke Glidden.
Boone Central will once again compete in the tough Mid-State Conference, but moves to the C1-9 Sub-District in ‘08-09. Kennedy says Norfolk Catholic is the conference favorite, with Crofton the team to beat in the district.
The Lady Cardinals will tip off the season in a girls/boys doubleheader at Hartington Cedar Catholic Friday, Dec. 5.
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