Lots of experienced juniors and a tough defense will define the Shawano Community High School girls basketball team this season.
The defense has been evident in the Hawks first two games of the season, both loses where Shawano held their opponents under 40 points.
The offense is still lagging, but Shawano coach Ryan Koenig is hoping eight experienced juniors will provide enough shooting.
“They were sophomores last year, got their first taste of varsity,” Koenig said. “This year, with our experience, hopefully it results in more wins, and at the end of the game, knowing what to do with the ball and taking care of the ball.”
Junior point guard Megan Klitzke was an honorable mention a season ago. She’ll be joined by junior forward Erika Dunnam and junior guard Sara Hokenstad. Also in the junior class are Teagan Monfils, Morgan Klitzke (Megan’s twin sister), Sydney Schreiber, Annelies Young and Megan Ward.
Seniors Briana Boda, Courtney Ainsworth also return. Senior Courtney Ainsworth returns to basketball after missing last season with an injury.
“Hopefully that will provide some leadership, those three seniors,” Koenig said.
In this third season as coach, Koenig is hoping the program will have more success after going 5-18 last season.
“We’re expecting more out of them,” Koenig said. “We’re expecting them to understand the concepts behind it. They’re doing a great job picking it up so far. We threw a lot at them this first week and a half.”
Koenig wants more competition for playing time this season, giving minutes to players that are playing well.
“We want to make this a competition,” he said. “It’s not just out here playing with friends, although we are. To become better, we must be more intense with each other.
“You’re playing for playing time every time you step on the court. There’s no given spots this year. I don’t care if you’re a returning starter or not. It doesn’t matter. Whoever is playing best and proving that they want to be out on the court is going to play this year.”
Koenig wants that competitiveness to spread throughout the program, not just the varsity level.
“Last year we tried some new things from the first year to the second year to advance the program,” he said. “It takes a while. There’s nobody that comes in and changes a program in a couple years. It’s a process.”
The varsity team, still searching for its first win of the season, will open Bay Conference play Dec. 5 at Denmark.
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