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By SETH STASKEY
BARNESVILLE -- Last season, the Barnesville Shamrocks utilized the mantra, 'why not us?' Since it worked fairly well, veteran coach Jamie Carpenter has decided to use it again as the 2017-18 season is set to kick into full swing.
The Shamrocks are coming off an appearance in the Division III Eastern District championship game during a late-season surge that saw them win 13 of their final 15, but Carpenter realizes that doesn't mean a whole lot.
"We know what it's like to be at that point, but we're also realistic," Carpenter said. "We know the effort and amount of work it's going to take to get back. We got off to a slow start last year, but we thought we could make a run."
Actually, as the season hit basically the midway point, the Shamrocks found themselves with an obviously deceiving 4-6 record.
"We just went on a tear," Carpenter said. "Obviously, a lot of things could have happened differently in the district game, but it just wasn't meant to be. I am pleased with how our kids played that night and how they didn't give up (against Tusky Valley)."
The Shamrocks return four starters off that club. That's the good news. However, the player they lost was Kallee Dowler, who scored 21 points a night and earned all-state honors and is playing collegiately at the University of Maine-Fort Kent.
"It will be difficult to replace Kallee," Carpenter said. "I've had a lot of people ask me, 'how are you going to replace her 21 points a game?' I am actually not worried about replacing her scoring as much as I am her ball handling and ability to control a game in late situations."
Carpenter has spent much of the summer, fall and preseason working to find who is going to be the player who fills the leadership role that Dowler vacates.
"We need to find that girl who wants to be the woman, if you will," Carpenter said. "We haven't seen that one girl step up yet who wants the ball in her hands in key situations. We have some kids who have that (characteristic) in them, but they just need to show it a little bit more."
While that role is critical because taking care of the basketball is paramount, Carpenter is very high on the four starters he returns.
"Our main strength is our experience," Carpenter said. "These girls have been deeper in the tournamernt and understand what it takes. We had a great offseason and our attitudes and work ethic have been impeccable. These girls show up and want to work and want to get better. They also get along well and have good chemistry."
Depth is also a concern for Barnesville. While four starters are back and junior Paige Morgan (5-foot-9) is expected to take over the fifth spot in the lineup, the subs were basically junior varsity players last winter.
"We're going to ask some girls to grow up fast," Carpenter said. "They're going to have to adjust quickly to the change in the speed of the game."
Barnesville's biggest strength is size. The Shamrocks will be led by senior standout Dulcie Christman, who stands 6-4. She raised her game a notch in the tournament on both ends of the floor and fueled the success. She finished the season with an 11.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game average. She's obviously an eraser at the rim, too. Her size in the lane allows the Shamrocks to gamble more defensively.
"We changed our entire defense because of Dulcie," Carpenter said. "She's really continued to improve her game, too. She controls her body well to avoid fouls. She's in great shape and she's improved in terms of her skills. She's really spent a lot of time playing the game this summer and fall."
Senior Sarah Powell (5-6) is expected to handle some of the late-game ball handling that Dowler had last season. Powell is a proficient 3-point shooter and netted 10.6 and 3.2 rebounds per game. She also averaged 3.1 assists.
"Sarah's shooting has improved tremendously," Carpenter continued. "She was kind of thrown into the point guard role a few years ago and has done a good job. She's really comfortable up there (on top). She has the mentally and attitude to get the job done."
Senior Abby Starr (5-5) returns as well. She averaged less than four points a game, but she did yank down almost eight rebounds. A solid defender, Carpenter labeled her the teams, 'unsung hero."
"You're not going to see many teams focus their game plans around Abby," Carpenter said. "She's very under the radar and she couldn't care less. She doesn't need the limelight. She's a great backside rebounder and I think if Dulcie sees double teams, she's really going to benefit."
Junior Annie Carpenter (5-7) came up big multiple times last season, hitting clutch treys. She finished with a 2.8 points per game and three rebound average.
"Annie is a good shooter, but it's still a confidence thing with her," Carpenter said of his daughter. "We need her to want the ball in her hands and looking to score. We're asking her to attack a little more."
Coach Carpenter offered high praise to the offseason work put in by Morgan.
"She's gotten better in terms of her shooting, foot work and quickness," Carpenter said. "She'll be getting her feet wet a little bit, but she works so hard every day."
Juniors Madyson Little (5-7), Mallory Conner (5-6) and Sydney Leach (5-5) will be the top three off the bench. Also slated to dress varsity are junior Addy Wildes (5-5) and sophomore Regan Hanlon (5-6).
Carpenter is being aided by Justin Little and Alicia Jefferis.
Nov. 24: Bellaire 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 27: at St. Clairsville 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 30: Shenandoah 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4: at Buckeye Trail 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7: Caldwell 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11: Monroe Central 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: at Union Local 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 16: Edison 2 p.m.
Dec. 18: at Cambridge 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 21: at Shenandoah 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 28: Buckeye Trail 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 30: at Meadowbrook 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 3: Buckeye Local 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 8: at Monroe Central 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 11: Bridgeport 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15: at Bellaire 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22: Meadowbrook 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25: Union Local 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 29: at Bridgeport 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1: at Caldwell 7:30 p.m.