The Collinsville High School girls basketball team enters their 2013-2014 campaign with two seniors and many questions about how the team will develop.
Head Coach Lori Billy / Photo by Roger Starkey
With four juniors and eight sophomores on the roster, the team is young. “We’re finding ourselves right now, but we’re going to be OK,” Head coach Lori Billy said.
Billy is optimistic about her team’s chances because she returns the second leading scorer from last year’s team and a host of sophomores that have been playing together since 4th grade. Junior point guard Aubreeney Brady averaged 9.4 points last year, good for second-best on the team, and nabbed 3.4 steals per contest, to easily lead the team.
The sophomore class coming in to support Brady grew up in the Jr. Kahoks feeder program. The Jr. Kahoks gave the players and coach a chance to become familiar with each other.
“I spent a lot of time with the Jr. Kahoks program, so I’ve known them (the sophomores) since they were little,” Billy said.
Samantha Buettner / Photo by Roger Starkey
Junior forward Samantha Buettner is counting on that familiarity to help the team improve the 12-15 record they posted last season. “I think we’ll be good. We just have to work hard together and play together and be smart, but I think we’ll be fine,” Buettner said.
The Kahoks will also be regaining the surgically repaired services of senior guard Lexie Thompson, who was fourth on the team in scoring when she went down with an ACL injury in January. Thompson will be counted on to stretch defenses. Her 12 3-pointers are the most of any returning player.
Brady worked hard to improve her ability to shoot from beyond the arc. She missed only one 3-pointer last season, but it was the only one she attempted. “I was nervous, almost afraid to shoot them,” Brady said. “But I’ve been working all summer on it.”
Aubreeney Davis / Photo by Roger Starkey
Lexie Thompson / Photo by Roger Starkey
Brady will be expected to the run the Kahoks’ offense. “I tell her this all the time, you’re the floor general, you’ve got to make it happen,” Billy said. “Last year was her first year as our point guard and it was a real learning process for her.”
Collinsville is an inside out team, Billy said, so they will count on their post players to have a prominent role. Buettner and sophomore Kassidy Smith received the most playing time of any returning forward. The Kahoks will also look to 6-foot 3-inch transfer Jasmine Jackson to be a post presence. Jackson split the 2012-2013 school year between Edwardsville and California.
The coach was reluctant to single out a player from the sophomore class that may play a key role this year, but Brady had no such reticence, she provided guard Caitlyn Brombolich’s name without hesitation. Brombolich averaged 1.2 points in limited varsity action during her freshman season.
All five players on the floor will have to be dangerous for the team to be successful. “In this conference, you’ve got to be able to score,” Billy said. The Southwestern Conference is the toughest conference south of Chicago, Billy said. “There is never a night when you’re going to walk on the floor and have an easy night.”
Billy believes this year’s Kahoks have a chance to compete for the conference crown. “You hope to be top of the pack, and I think we have a chance to be,” Billy said. “I think it just depends on how our youth steps up and how we meld together as a team.”
Related:
CHS girls basketball 2013-2014 schedule: http://metroindependent.com/2013/11/14/lady-kahoks-basketball-2013-2014-schedule/2214/
CHS girls basketball 2013-2014 roster: http://metroindependent.com/2013/11/21/chs-girls-basketball-2013-2014-roster/2358/
