Prep basketball previews: Colony girls squad stocked full of sophomores and juniors

Dec. 26, 2006

By MATT TUNSETH/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - Colony's girls basketball team is young - but that doesn't mean they're lacking in talent.

There are no seniors on this year's team, and only two juniors. Three players however - sophomore forwards Allie Grazulis and Kara Larson as well as junior guard Hayley Hotchkiss - all cracked the Knights' starting lineup last season, and standout guard Maria Bowker is returning from a knee injury.

Head coach Don Witzel said it may take a while for all his young talent to mesh.

&#8220Right now we're just kind of feeling things out,” Witzel said following the Knights' season-opening win over West Anchorage.

Larson sat out the season-opener with an ankle injury, and likely won't be available for the first month of the season, leaving Colony a bit thin in the frontcourt.

&#8220When we get Kara back that will make a huge difference,” Witzel said.

Depth will be an issue for the young team, and Witzel said he expects just eight or nine players to see significant minutes.

&#8220We're not real deep,” he said.

Shooting should be a strong point for the Knights. Against West, Hotchkiss and Bowker displayed good touch with their jump shots, and Grazulis can shoot from outside or go inside to get buckets.

&#8220All of our girls are shooters,” Hotchkiss said following the West game.

Other players expected to make key contributions this season are sophomore forward Alex Coon, sophomore guard Jackie Hamann, junior guard Micaela Stein and sophomore guard Tara Garrod.

The Knights will get a good opportunity to test themselves over the holiday break, when they travel to Arizona to play in the Cactus Jam Hoops Classic. Witzel said he hopes the tournament will be a good-team building exercise for his young squad.

&#8220Hopefully we'll see some good competition down there,” he said.

The entire team will travel to Arizona for the tournament, including Larson, who plans to make the trip to cheer on her team despite her injured ankle.

&#8220She and her family already had plans to go, so she'll be coming with us,” Witzel said.

Team chemistry could be key to the success of the Knights this season, and Hotchkiss - now thrust into the role as a team leader by virtue of her upperclassman status - said she believes it will be one of Colony's strengths.

&#8220That's going to be one of the nice things about it,” she said. &#8220We're all kind of buddies this year.”

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@frontiersman.com