Prep girls prepare for basketball season

Tryouts began this week as area schools evaluated their talent and finalized rosters for varsity, junior varsity, and C-teams.

Wasilla finished third in the state last year but coach Jeannie Hebert has her sights set even higher this year.

Wasilla lost only two seniors to graduation, returning three starters to this year's squad. Hebert expects guard Tonya James and center Brittney Kroon to lead the Warriors this year.

With four girls over six feet tall, Hebert believes that height will be a definite advantage for the Warriors.

"We will be strong in both the inside and outside game," said Hebert. "We also have four good ball handlers who can hit the outside shot."

Palmer missed the cut for the state playoffs last year but coach Lyle Busbey feels good about this year's squad.

"I really like the chemistry on this team," Busbey said. "We may take our licks early, but should be playing well by February."

The Moose lost six seniors from last year's squad, returning only one starter and one player who saw varsity time last year.

The one returning starter for Palmer is all-region player Sara Bergeron, who was Palmer's leading scorer.

Palmer placed seven seniors on this year's team.

"They've been waiting their turn and are hungry to show their stuff," Busbey said.

Busbey admits it will take some time through the early games to find out each player's role on the court, but said he has depth on this year's team.

Busbey credits coach Paul Reid for prepping the junior varsity girls for varsity play.

Last year's junior varsity squad finished the season strong by winning its last 10 games -- averaging 70 points a game.

Approximately 50 girls showed up for Palmer tryouts this year to make the varsity, junior varsity and C-teams.

Colony comes into the season having lost only one starting senior from last year's squad. Kelly Quinn, McKenzie Menard, Cindy Beckman, and Kristina Klapperich return to lead the Knights.

Coach Don Witzel contends that many of the positions on the Knights' team are up for grabs this year.

"One of our problems last year was scoring," Witzel said. "The kids that can score will play."

Witzel has many sophomores this year who he hopes can come in and help when needed. Witzel is especially looking for help in the post, where he believes the sophomores will be able to find playing time.

"We have a good mixture of experience and youth," Witzel said. "A lot will depend on how the young kids perform this year."

Coach Jeff Tyson takes the helm of the Hawks' program this year to begin his tenure in Houston.

Houston returns six seniors with playing experience to this year's squad.

Tyson contends that he doesn't have a large number of players who will fight to make the cut, the girls who try out will either make the varsity or junior varsity squads. They will, however, battle for positions.

"We feel that we have an athletic team," Tyson said. "The potential is there for us to compete, we just need to pull them together as a team. We will build pride and excitement in girls' basketball this year at Houston."

Su Valley coach Bruce Gunderson lost four seniors to graduation last year for the Rams, but will get three seniors this year along with one other player with varsity experience.

Gunderson will look to guard Melissa McNulty to lead the team, with help from Laura Marsh and Jessica Bills.