UTICA – The Utica girls basketball team will have a new look in 2020.
In fact, the Redskins are replacing their entire starting lineup— with one notable exception: senior point guard and floor leader Shawna Blake.
“Shawna is doing a great job,” Redskins’ Coach Terry Logue told the Mount Vernon News. “When our younger players were on the floor with her last year, she was communicating with them. She knows she's the leader 100%. She's a great kid— a really great kid. She's a hard worker and she loves the game of basketball.”
Haley Robinson is the Redskins' other returning senior. She played on the jayvee squad last year, but has improved quite a bit. Expect the quick and athletic guard to be a starter.
After that, the future is now. Utica has at least seven sophomores looking to gain a starting role, along with a couple of juniors.
Logue is projecting three sophomores in his starting five: Riley Thompson, Skylar Parker and post-player Delaney Kurstetter. The biggest adjustment for the Redskins will be not having the now-graduated Emily Londot in the post.
“Delaney's going to have big shoes to fill,” Logue said. “Obviously, that's tough because of who we've had in the post for the last four years, but she's really worked hard and she's gotten better. I think she'll have a pretty solid season for us. Riley Thompson will be more of a wing player with the offense that we are going to run this year. She's going to have to get in there and battle for some rebounds. She can handle the ball pretty well. Skyler's going to be a guard for us. She's pretty athletic. They just all need playing time.”
Behind them, the Redskins have plenty of raw talent. Sophomores Josie Mueller, Abby Paxton, Emily Barkley and Bella Coulter all look like they're going to get a chance to play some varsity ball this year. They will get the proper guidance as well— on and off the court.
“It's a lot different experience than I have had to handle, but it's nice to be able to take the lead and help the younger ones figure out certain things in the game,” Blake told the News.
The Redskins will also have junior Haden Walters, who will rotate in at center to give Kerstetter a rest.
“The idea is to improve every day,” Logue said. “The biggest thing is understanding how much faster the game is at the varsity level than it has been for many of them at the jayvee level. Shawna understands that.”
Blake, who wants to be a coach one day, has a rare opportunity to help put her brand on the Redskins for the next few years.
“I'd like to see them get familiar with defending their positions.” she said. “I'd like to see them learn to attack the hoop and learn when to shoot and when not to shoot. I just want to see them become better decision-makers with the ball.”
