|
|
 |
Saturday
March 20, 2010 Since 1922 |
Rebuilt Lady Rangers look to carry momentum
By Michael Pineda
Baytown Sun Published November 4, 2007 For the second year in a row, Sterling head coach Laurie Welch will be rebuilding. Last season, she didn’t do half bad.
The Lady Rangers welcome three new starters to the lineup as well as a rebuilt bench as they try to improve on last season’s 14-17 record and 4th place finish in District 21-5A. Sterling won eight of its last 11 games last season.
“It’s pretty similar,” Welch said. “Last year, I only had one returning starter and this year I have two. We’re going to play the transition game and will press some. Our size is going to hurt us a bit.”
The Lady Rangers have five coming back with varsity experience including starters Mahogany Terry and Deshelle Isaac. Terry was named first team all-district last season and gives Sterling a physical presence in the paint at 5-11. The senior along with 5-11 sophomore Chacara Gibson are the only two on the roster taller than 5-7.
“Defense is always a stress point of mine,” Welch said. “We’re stressing blocking out and getting the boards. With our big girls we’re also stressing outlet passes, we’re going to be pretty fast getting down the floor.”
Isaac, who split time at the one and two guard last season, will assume the point position full time this season. The 5-7 junior experienced growing pains early last season but grew more confident toward the end of the district schedule. This year she will take on leadership responsibilities on the floor.
“She has matured and gotten better,” Welch said.
Welch will fill the shooting guard position by committee. When the Lady Rangers go with a big lineup, senior Candi Allen will get the starting nod. Last season, Allen suffered an injury after a strong start and never quite recovered.
“Candi got a lot of playing time early in the year but had little playing time at the end,” Welch said. “She was never 100 percent. She has a nice shot and can handle the ball well and drive to the basket.”
When Sterling goes with a small lineup, senior Kayce Harvey will get a look as well as senior Maegan Thomas, senior Joya Malone and sophomore Candice Thompson.
Harvey (5-5) was a member of the varsity last season and is recovering from an hand injury suffered while working on her game. Thomas was also a member of the varsity last season and can play the point as well as the two. Malone (5-3) splits time at the two and three and is a scoring threat from the outside.
Thomas (5-3) can play the one and two and has varsity experience. The sophomore (5-5) had a strong summer and has a lot of potential.
“Candice has been bounding around in multiple positions and she has handled it very well and will eventually settle in at the two,” Welch said.
Emeral Ford will receive the starting nod at the small forward. The 5-7 junior was a member of the junior varsity last season and gives Sterling a physical presence.
“She’s not real tall but has some size,” Welch said. “What she will do for us is get on the boards. She sees the floor pretty well and is a strong passer.”
Senior Mashawn Gilbert (5-3) will come off of the bench and see time at the position as a defensive specialist. Gilbert gives the Lady Rangers a changeup at the position with her quickness.
When the Lady Rangers go big, Gibson will be in the lineup at the four. Allen will fill the position when they go small. Gibson will also see time backing up Terry at center.
“Chacara is looking better every day,” Welch said. “She is getting physical and more aggressive.”
At center, Terry is one of the best post players in the district. This season, Sterling will need more consistency from the senior in the scoring column.
“She will have to play her role for us every ball game,” Welch said. “She will have to be in double digits scoring and hopefully rebounding.
“She’s pretty strong down low and she has gotten more physical over the summer and has been working on her quickness and speed.”
Sterling will open the season on Tuesday when it hosts former district foe Spring at 7 p.m. The Lady Rangers will then be on the road at Alvin on Friday.
Baytown Sun Published November 4, 2007 For the second year in a row, Sterling head coach Laurie Welch will be rebuilding. Last season, she didn’t do half bad.
The Lady Rangers welcome three new starters to the lineup as well as a rebuilt bench as they try to improve on last season’s 14-17 record and 4th place finish in District 21-5A. Sterling won eight of its last 11 games last season.
“It’s pretty similar,” Welch said. “Last year, I only had one returning starter and this year I have two. We’re going to play the transition game and will press some. Our size is going to hurt us a bit.”
The Lady Rangers have five coming back with varsity experience including starters Mahogany Terry and Deshelle Isaac. Terry was named first team all-district last season and gives Sterling a physical presence in the paint at 5-11. The senior along with 5-11 sophomore Chacara Gibson are the only two on the roster taller than 5-7.
“Defense is always a stress point of mine,” Welch said. “We’re stressing blocking out and getting the boards. With our big girls we’re also stressing outlet passes, we’re going to be pretty fast getting down the floor.”
Isaac, who split time at the one and two guard last season, will assume the point position full time this season. The 5-7 junior experienced growing pains early last season but grew more confident toward the end of the district schedule. This year she will take on leadership responsibilities on the floor.
“She has matured and gotten better,” Welch said.
Welch will fill the shooting guard position by committee. When the Lady Rangers go with a big lineup, senior Candi Allen will get the starting nod. Last season, Allen suffered an injury after a strong start and never quite recovered.
“Candi got a lot of playing time early in the year but had little playing time at the end,” Welch said. “She was never 100 percent. She has a nice shot and can handle the ball well and drive to the basket.”
When Sterling goes with a small lineup, senior Kayce Harvey will get a look as well as senior Maegan Thomas, senior Joya Malone and sophomore Candice Thompson.
Harvey (5-5) was a member of the varsity last season and is recovering from an hand injury suffered while working on her game. Thomas was also a member of the varsity last season and can play the point as well as the two. Malone (5-3) splits time at the two and three and is a scoring threat from the outside.
Thomas (5-3) can play the one and two and has varsity experience. The sophomore (5-5) had a strong summer and has a lot of potential.
“Candice has been bounding around in multiple positions and she has handled it very well and will eventually settle in at the two,” Welch said.
Emeral Ford will receive the starting nod at the small forward. The 5-7 junior was a member of the junior varsity last season and gives Sterling a physical presence.
“She’s not real tall but has some size,” Welch said. “What she will do for us is get on the boards. She sees the floor pretty well and is a strong passer.”
Senior Mashawn Gilbert (5-3) will come off of the bench and see time at the position as a defensive specialist. Gilbert gives the Lady Rangers a changeup at the position with her quickness.
When the Lady Rangers go big, Gibson will be in the lineup at the four. Allen will fill the position when they go small. Gibson will also see time backing up Terry at center.
“Chacara is looking better every day,” Welch said. “She is getting physical and more aggressive.”
At center, Terry is one of the best post players in the district. This season, Sterling will need more consistency from the senior in the scoring column.
“She will have to play her role for us every ball game,” Welch said. “She will have to be in double digits scoring and hopefully rebounding.
“She’s pretty strong down low and she has gotten more physical over the summer and has been working on her quickness and speed.”
Sterling will open the season on Tuesday when it hosts former district foe Spring at 7 p.m. The Lady Rangers will then be on the road at Alvin on Friday.