Girls’ Basketball
Coach: Chris Bessey (seventh year)
Last year’s record: 19-4, won Class C state title
Returning letter winners: Seniors – Hillary Deane (5-9 forward), Mallory Bonnevie (5-7 guard), Gina Nemi (5-9 forward), Kelsea Beisaw (5-4 guard); Juniors – Beth Moore (5-9 forward), Alannah White (5-6 guard), Brittany DiPompo (5-6 guard); Sophomores – Alexis Blodgett (5-7 guard), Lexi Deering (5-6 guard).
Key losses: Liz LeBlanc (forward), Betsy Gemelli (guard).
Promising newcomers: Sophomores – Ashlee Quirron (5-3 guard), Kourtney Brennick (5-10 center), Kristy Macumber (5-8 guard).
Outlook: The Tigers graduated two seniors from last year’s state championship team, including LeBlanc, the MVC Player of the Year. Jay returns the rest of that squad and has plenty of height and experience. Deane (12 ppg, 6 rpg) is the leading returning scorer while Moore (7 ppg, 7 rpg) and Nemi (7 rpg) were both among league leaders on the boards. Bonnevie (6.6 ppg) was superb in the backcourt while Blodgett proved to be a sparkplug. Jay should be a contender in Western C again but replacing the leadership and big play contributions of LeBlanc and Gemelli won’t be easy.
Coach’s comment: “The MVC and the new format will make this year very competitive. Starting out the year with everyone gunning for you will add to the importance of hard work in practice and to make individual improvements to succeed as a team.” – Coach Chris Bessey.