EXPERIENCE COUNTS
Senior-heavy Lady Badgers open at Hamilton tonight
By JEREMY HEATH Staff Writer

PHOTO BY GABE WOLF The 2007-08 Lady Badger Basketball Team from left: Latoscha Sherman, Lauren Barlow, Nicole Durante, Jennifer Howard, Carey Yeary, Casey O'Connor, Michelle Benton, Ashley Lowery, Molly Rogers, Alma Sandoval, Sarah Bishop.

Mitzi Lancaster already knows what she can expect from Latoscha Sherman, Jennifer Howard, Casey O'Connor, Michelle Benton and Molly Rogers.

But she also knows that while five players might take the court at once, five players do not a basketball team make.

"Depth is always an issue," Lancaster said.

It's an issue the Lampasas head girls' basketball coach thinks she has the tools to overcome.

"Fortunately, I have quite a few players who received quality playing time last season, and every player on this team is extremely important to us achieving our goals this year," she said.

The Lady Badgers open their season on the road against Hamilton at 7:30 tonight.

With the foundation of seniors Sherman, Howard, O'Connor, Benton and Rogers and the crucial supporting cast in place, the Lady Badgers will try to improve on last season's 15-18 record.

Latoscha Sherman: Senior post averaged 10.2 points per game last year.

"I expect those seniors to not only be leaders this year but to adjust to certain situations better because of their experience," Lancaster said. "I've worked with these girls for four years now, and hopefully they know what I expect."

Six of those 15 wins last season came in the Lady Badgers' first seven games, but an injury to 5'7" guard Howard hampered the team and led to a 2-12 record in District 25-4A play.

Fellow guards Rogers, Benton and O'Connor combined to fill the void resulting from Howard's injury, but their increased roles transferred the void to the bench and limited the team's ability to finish strong in the fourth quarter of district games.

Sherman, a 6'0" post, averaged 10.2 points and seven rebounds per game last year, and Lancaster expects her to be a consistent offensive and defensive presence in the paint. Alma Sandoval, a 5'8" senior, Sarah Bishop, a 5'10" sophomore, and Lauren Barlow, a 5'9" sophomore, will provide depth at the post.

Casey O'Connor: Senior guard averaged 2.1 assists per game as a junior.

Howard averaged 12.7 points and 2.3 assists per game last year. Her ability to score from the outside, initiate ball movement, pressure opposing guards and get to loose balls quickly make her the crux of the offense and a key player on defense.

O'Connor, a 5'5" guard, showed last year an ability to come away with rebounds and move the ball. She averaged six boards and 2.1 assists in 2006-07.

The junior class provides more depth at guard with 5'6" Nicole Durante, 5'6" Ashley Lowery and 5'6" Carey Yeary also bringing varsity experience to the mix.

Offensively, Lancaster plans to keep things simple early on, but she wants to expand the playbook as the season rolls toward the district slate, which opens Dec. 4 at Marble Falls.

"Obviously, we have our basic offenses that are our staples," the coach said. "However, as the season progresses, we will experiment with more and more set plays that enhance our strengths and the opportunities for certain players. I feel as though we have some quality shooters, and we will certainly attempt to take advantage of those threats.

Jennifer Howard: Senior guard averaged 12.7 points per game last season.

"Our post game is also very critical. The post players must realize their scoring potential and step up the defense in the paint."

Defensively, the plan is to create opportunities for the transition offense.

"My defensive philosophy will all be pressure-minded," Lancaster said. "We will pressure the ball as much as possible to try to create turnovers. There will be some teams we don't match up with as well, and that will limit our ability to play that style. When that happens, we'll adjust to give our kids the best chance possible to win."

2007-08 Lady Badgers Basketball