Knights look to make run in state

PALMER -- Last season the Colony girls' basketball team suffered through some growing pains. The Knights were adjusting to a new style of offense, and all-state junior Kristina Klapperich was adjusting to a new position.

"Last year we felt we just never found our stride," Colony head coach Don Witzel said. "We never really got clicking."

Colony lost just one player from a squad that reached the state tournament last season, and Klapperich has a full season under her belt at the wing position. The Knights could be ready to make some noise in the state.

"Our expectations are very high," Klapperich said.

Klapperich said her squad has a case of senioritis, not the strand of senioritis that causes high school students to skip class and count the number of minutes until they can clutch their hands on the diploma, but the type of senioritis that makes them antsy to succeed.

"We want to get the job done," Klapperich said. "We hope we got what it takes."

Klapperich leads a class of five seniors, which will lead the Knights during the 2003-04 season. Joining Klapperich are guards Siena Locke and Teresa Hill and post players Jessica Dault and Margaret Morris.

The combination of Locke, a 5-foot-3 lightning quick point guard, and Klapperich, a 6-1 wing, the Knights may have one of the toughest duos on the perimeter in the state to defend.

Witzel recognizes his talent in the backcourt, but said in order for Colony to succeed the squad must get a consistent effort on both ends of the court from their post players.

Right now there are a group of post players who could emerge as a force inside for Colony. Leading the pack is Dault.

Dault showed flashes of domination inside last season. Witzel and the Knights will be looking for a more consistent effort this season. Colony also has Morris who can score inside and out.

Added to the mix are forwards Kate Baldwin and Joanna Spoth who make the move from the Knight junior varsity squad.

"Joanna is coming on strong," Witzel said. "She could become a rebounding machine."

The Knight talent will be tested early. After a key win over Palmer on Tuesday, Colony moves on to face Lathrop, Juneau and West in the East Tournament this weekend.

"It will really tell us where we stand," Klapperich said. "It will be a good learning experience. We are very confident. We just need to keep up the intensity."