The Iowa City West High Girls Basketball team is set to begin their season Nov. 9 under the leadership of third-year coach B.J. Mayer.
The Trojans are looking to improve on their 16-6 record last season, although they face the obstacle of having a young, relatively inexperienced team.
“Our players have been practicing in open gym,” Coach Mayer said. “We have such a new background of kids that we have just been trying to get the sophomores and seniors on the same page.”
The Trojans will need their underclassmen to step up after graduating their two leading scorers and rebounders, Emma Krieger Kittle and Madison Sadecky. Kittle now plays volleyball for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.
Sophomore Tatum Klein, who saw minimal playing time on the varsity squad last year as a freshman, will play a pivotal role in the team this year.
“Tatum is one of our primary on ball defenders,” Coach Mayer said. “She’s our best returning defender.”
Unfortunately, the Trojans will be without a tall frontcourt; their tallest player this season will be 5-foot-10. However, Mayer is going to accommodate for their lack of height by playing a backcourt dominated, up-tempo style.
“We are going to play a fast tempo to get [other teams] out of their element,” Coach Mayer said. “We need to take more shots than normal. We are going to rely on the three-point shot.”
Senior Courtney Fritz, who captured the 4A State Discus Title last spring, will be the primary ball handler this season.
While the Trojans will be young this season, this year’s juniors come with a history of success together. Last year, the West High Sophomore Girls Team went 20-1.
“Our sophomores are a resilient bunch” Coach Mayer commented.
This year’s Mississippi Valley Conference will be as competitive as ever; featuring many of the state’s top teams.
“[The Missippi Valley Conference] is the top conference in the state,” Coach Mayer said. “It makes us improve in order to compete.”
Though the Trojans’ season ended in disappointment last year with a second-round playoff loss to Ankeny High School, Coach Mayer believes the experience will be vital in the future.
“In Sports it is difficult to get to the next level until you’ve been there before,” Coach Mayer said. “Hopefully, [the team] will play with a chip on their shoulder this year.”
The Trojans begin practice Nov. 9 and will start their season campaign Nov. 24 against non-conference opponents Fairfield High School.
“Tatum is one of our primary on ball defenders,” Coach Mayer said. “She’s our best returning defender.”
Unfortunately, the Trojans will be without a tall frontcourt; their tallest player this season will be 5-foot-10. However, Mayer is going to accommodate for their lack of height by playing a backcourt dominated, up-tempo style.
“We are going to play a fast tempo to get [other teams] out of their element,” Coach Mayer said. “We need to take more shots than normal. We are going to rely on the three-point shot.”
Senior Courtney Fritz, who captured the 4A State Discus Title last spring, will be the primary ball handler this season.
While the Trojans will be young this season, this year’s juniors come with a history of success together. Last year, the West High Sophomore Girls Team went 20-1.
“Our sophomores are a resilient bunch” Coach Mayer commented.
This year’s Mississippi Valley Conference will be as competitive as ever; featuring many of the state’s top teams.
“[The Missippi Valley Conference] is the top conference in the state,” Coach Mayer said. “It makes us improve in order to compete.”
Though the Trojans’ season ended in disappointment last year with a second-round playoff loss to Ankeny High School, Coach Mayer believes the experience will be vital in the future.
“In Sports it is difficult to get to the next level until you’ve been there before,” Coach Mayer said. “Hopefully, [the team] will play with a chip on their shoulder this year.”
The Trojans begin practice Nov. 9 and will start their season campaign Nov. 24 against non-conference opponents Fairfield High School.
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