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captains of last year’s squad so outside of the production on the
hardwood lost, their off-the-court influence will be missed as
well.
“We have a very different makeup from last year’s team to
this year’s team,” Rogers said. “I always set the bar high and
that’s just the type of person I am. I think we have a quick team
that will play a lot off of their speed. Our offense will rely a lot
on the transition game and we actually have a good inside-out
game as well.”
Things are shaping up nicely for Central Mountain as far as
the roster goes. Coach Rogers won’t be the only new person
on the sideline. Some new faces will be on the team to provide
more depth. Rachael Shady along with the Heckman sisters —
Kara and Krista — will bring a ton of athleticism to this roster.
Also, Sarah Jensen appears primed to have a stellar junior
campaign. She was the Wildcats’ second leading scorer and
grabbed the most boards. Shelbe Walker is a player whom will
see an increase in playing time and could provide another
weapon on both ends of the court for Central Mountain. A lot
of things have to go right, but this team does have the ability
to compete at a high level.
“The athleticism is definitely why I want us to focus on getting
into running a fast-paced game,” Rogers said. “Fast
breaks, points in transitions and the overall quickness we bring
into the game will all be important with the type of athletes we
have. Practices are going really smoothly and we have a great
group of girls filled with some awesome leaders too. Johnna
Garbrick is an excellent leader and the other girls have also set
the bar high for themselves and this team.”
Buckwalter will be turning
to.
“Keanan has done an outstanding
job so far,” coach
Buckwalter said. “He has
bought into the program and
worked hard in the off season.
I think he is going to
have an excellent year. You
have to be hungry in this
sport. You have to want to
put the hard work in to reap
the benefits. He is one of the
ones willing to do just that.
Along with Blaze
Buckwalter and Bottorf, the
Wildcats return regional
qualifiers in Cole Hanley,
Gavin Caprio and Cameron
Porter. Throw in regular
starters like Chad Reese,
Devin Stacey and Caleb
Stover and it is easy to see
the Wildcats cupboard is far
from bare.
Central Mountain, like
most area schools, will present
a dominant upper weight
group in Blaze Buckwalter,
Porter and Stover likely
being the closing three
weights.
DEBUT
Continued from 2
PRESENT
Continued from 3
The month of December
will provide the Wildcats a
nice measuring stick for how
their season will go. They
open competition with the
Top Hat Tournament in
Williamsport on Dec. 7 and
8.
The next week they host the
King of the Mountain tournament
— which might be the
deepest tournament in the
state this year.
Throw in the Bob Rohm
Memorial Tournament in
Bloomsburg at the end of the
month and it is easy to see
that the Wildcats will come
into the meat of their dual
meet season battled tested
and ready to go.
“Every year we have guys
that completely surprise us,”
coach Buckwalter said.
“They are the ones that have
been a part of the program
and just make a giant leap
forward. I don’t know what it
is going to be this year, but
we will see.”
NATE WILSON/THE EXPRESS
Central Mountain returning letterwinners, from left, are Shelbe Walker, Johnna Garbrick and Sarah
Jensen.
Rt. 150 between Woolrich & Avis
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5 - The Express - Winter Sports - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012