Sean C. Morgan
The return of eight players to the girls basketball team means Sweet Home will have some experience this year.
The Huskies have a core of six juniors and seniors back from last year’s team, which won four games.
Returning seniors include Rylee Cole, who has played since her freshman year; Cortnie Cuilla, a two-time letter winner; and Randi Muir, who swung varsity last year. They are joined by juniors Annie Whitfield and Megan Rubidoux, two-time lettermen, along with Sarah Wyatt, who was a swing player last year.
All six of the girls participated in summer league, said Coach John Barnes. “You can just tell. Those extra games just help.”
Returning sophomores are Megan Graville, who was a swing player, and Sabrina Davis, who saw minimal varsity time last year but brings a strong understanding of the sport, Barnes said.
Joining the varsity this year are sophomores Kendell Anderson, Nicole Bell, Chloe Bell and Kellie Weld.
“All six are going to be relied upon to give some good minutes, sport minutes or extended minutes,” Barnes said. “There’s six of the sophomores back from a good freshman class last year.”
A few of the sophomores may swing, Barnes said, but in general, playing time has yet to be determined.
The team has lost juniors Emili Riggs, who also sat out most of the volleyball season with an injury, and Brandi Trewin, who decided to focus on other sports.
“I think we can use our experience and use it in a positive way, bring it together and hopefully be competitive,” Barnes said. “That’s our goal every year, and that needs to come out this year.
“Offensively, we’re going to focus on taking what the defense gives us. I think every night it’s going to change.”
That’ll depend on whether their opponent is running a zone, man-to-man or full-court presses, he said. They’ll need to prepare for everything because they expect to see a variety of defenses.
Barnes is looking to cut turnovers and get the ball down the court against presses.
He has plenty of ball handlers, he said, where in the past, he didn’t have too many players who were comfortable dribbling right or left.
He expects to see better decision-making and the right passes, Barnes said, but he’s looking to build offense out of defense.
“I think we’re going to have to be very solid defensively,” Barnes said. For help on defense, he has turned to Tim Matuszak, who was boys junior varsity coach last year. Matuszak is providing specialized defensive coaching.
“I think it starts with defense,” Barnes said. “You can be the best shooting team in the world. If you can’t stop it, where are you?”
Defensively, he wants to make sure everyone is on the same page, without missing a step, he said, whether in a man, zone or full-court defense.
It only takes one person making a mistake for everything to break down, Barnes said. Knowing what to do and being prepared is key to ensuring those mistakes aren’t made.
The team needs an identity, he said, and he wants to see a defensive focus become part of that identity.
“We have the athletes to do it,” Barnes said. “And that’s from the number one player to the number 12 player.”
Cole will continue at point guard with Whitfield, Rubidoux and Wyatt working the wings, Barnes said. At post, he’s looking to Graville, Cuilla, Muir and Anderson.
Wyatt, Whitfield and Davis will back up Cole at point.
At times, the team may have to run a five-guard offense, and some of the sophomores may help out there, Barnes said.
The Huskies’ move to a new league doesn’t mean much will change in terms of the level of competition the Huskies faced last year from Val-Co teams, all of whom have moved to the newly formed Oregon West League.
“We are in a new league. As tough as Oregon West is this year, I think the Sky-Em is going to be just as tough,” Barnes said.
Cottage Grove is the returning state champion, he said, while Junction City is probably the favorite in the league, returning many players after just missing playoffs last year.
Elmira has a tough post, Barnes said. Sisters has a new coach, but the school is always tough in sports. Three out of the past four years, La Pine has made it to Gill Coliseum, the final eight in state playoffs.
Rachel Sawyer returns as JV coach. She is assisted by Rob Younger and Michelle Knight.
Barnes is excited about the coaching additions this year, he said. The coaches have years of experience, and he hopes to see that translate to the court.
The Huskies have kids with varsity experience, he said.
“If we can come together as a team, we’ll be fine.”