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MOUNDSVILLE -- The John Marshall girls' basketball team is looking to make some noise this season against some of the more dominant teams on its schedule.
To do that, coach Brock Melko and company will have to do it with a much younger but promising group of players.
"We had an up and down season last year," Melko said. "My biggest takeaway is that we probably beat the teams we should have beaten and didn't beat the teams who were better than us. I was happy with our effort but we just never had a moment to hang our hat on. We're focused on building on that and trying to knock off some of the powerhouses this year."
John Marshall lost a solid trio to graduation last year in Catherine Hunnell, Landyn Helms and Lauren Tekely.
Hunnell and Helms were both key starters, while Tekely provided some quality minutes off the bench.
"We're going to miss their leadership," Melko said of last year's seniors. "Catherine and Landyn were in and out of the starting lineup in all four years. They were two guards that had four years of experience and are both gone. This year's group will have big shoes to fill for sure."
This year's team includes one senior, two juniors, four sophomores and four freshmen but Melko is impressed with their knowledge of the game at such a young age.
"They are young but we're looking at that as a positive," Melko said. "They are long and athletic so we're throwing them into the fire and so far they have responded pretty well. We saw some good teams over the summer and they didn't fold. They battled. The biggest positive is as a team they have a really high basketball IQ. The whole team has a good feel for the game. They make cuts and they make plays that aren't scripted. They just make good reads. You can tell the group has been playing their whole lives."
Leading the Monarchs into battle will be the lone senior Lilie Babiczuk, who has made several improvements over the offseason.
"Lilie has done a good job and learned how to use her size and her body to her advantage," Melko said. "Offensively and defensively she's done a good job. We've talked to her about not giving up uncontested layups and she's been altering opponents' shots in the lane. She'll be starting at center for us."
Junior Kayli Derrow will also provide some leadership and experience in the starting lineup.
"Kayli's effort has been phenomenal so far," Melko said. "If she continues to do that, look out. She will be as good as she wants to be. We are trying to get her in the open floor more to get her athleticism in space more."
The remainder of the starters consist of sophomore Kaitlyn Blake and freshmen Rilee Storm and Kaylee White.
Blake is returning to the lineup after a breakthrough freshman campaign.
"Kaitlyn averaged a double-double last year," Melko said. "Not many can say they averaged a double-double as a freshman. She is one of the most fundamentally sound players I've ever seen. Her footwork is usually perfect and she's always making the right moves. The summer was good for her because she stepped up and filled in for some different roles in order to help us win. She handled herself well."
Storm has taken practice by storm to earn a spot in the lineup.
"Rilee is a great shooter and she works her butt off to become better and better," Melko said. "She's in the gym all the time after practice, before practice and on days off. She's as talented as a freshman can be and we're excited to see what she can do this year."
Melko has also noticed early that White doesn't seem to have many flaws in her game and is as well-rounded as they come in the game of basketball.
"She does everything better than average," Melko said of White. "Some people specialize in shooting but can't play defense or they can play defense but don't score as often but she is good at everything. She stepped in during the offseason and showed that she belonged in the starting lineup."
Three more players who will see valuable minutes on the court this year for the Monarchs are junior Alanta Updegraff and another freshmen duo of Nia Miller and Masyn Inclan.
"Alanta has a motor that never stops," Melko said. "Not only will she add depth to our lineup but she'll add length, too. Lia Miller had as good of an offseason as anyone. She climbed up the ladder quickly and is always making the right play. Masyn is a solid defender and understands where everyone should be on the floor. I feel like we can mold her into a floor general."
The remainder of Melko's squad consists of junior Emily Beaver and sophomores Kurstin Ebert, Tori Finley and Maitlyn Miller.
One thing that Melko likes about his players is that they study the game diligently.
"These girls watch the game and they are smart players," Melko said. "They also react to adversity. We'll have mistakes this year and maybe a bad night shooting but I'm proud of how they've responded to that. They just take it in stride and get them the next time out. I think the general feeling on the year is that we are young but we are hungry and eager to prove ourselves."