The Danville girls’ basketball team is coming off a 13-11 season where they won their 10th straight sectional championship, and with an experienced group returning to the varsity squad this year, Coach Matt Proper sees big things for the Blue Devils this winter.
“My goal for our team this season is to be the best possible team we can be,” said Coach Proper. “This season we have a great group of upperclassmen that have been playing together since elementary school.”
Seniors this season include Broegan Staats, Kylee Hess, Ella Proper, Grace Gronberg and Jaylyn Smith. Juniors are Addison Mickley, Heloisa Vasquez and Ashley Smith. The freshmen and sophomores on the team also bring plenty of energy to the team, Proper said.
“We have a lot of court experience with this year's team,” said Proper. “We need to continue to work on maintaining a high-level of consistent gameplay on both ends of the floor.”
Last year Ella Proper was the standout player for the Blue Devils, as she was named All-KMAC first team and All-Ohio for the second time. Hess was second team All-KMAC and Staats was All-KMAC honorable mention. Hess is currently sixth in school history in three pointers made. Proper’s 894 points are ranked 14th all-time.
Last year in regular season games, Proper averaged 12.7 points and had a total of 280 points. She also had 1.9 assists per game and 0.5 blocks. Hess led the KMAC in assists with 3.2 per game and a total of 70, and had 0.4 blocks. The team led the KMAC in free throw percentage with a rate of 68.2%.
Danville’s season started on Nov. 24 and the Blue Devils fell 51-34 in a non-conference matchup with Norwayne at the Smithville Barn Ball Classic. They have non-conference matchups with Genoa Christian Academy on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. and Hayes on Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
The Blue Devils play their first conference matchup on Dec. 6 against Mount Gilead at home starting at 7:30 p.m.
“The KMAC is always competitive and physical,” said Coach Proper. “Every league game will be important for us this season.
