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By BUBBA KAPRAL
HUNDRED -- Year 2 looks much more promising for Hundred High girls' coach Steve Dakan than his maiden voyage.
Dakan's Hornets won just two games last winter. He is optimistic about the new season despite losing a quartet of starters to graduation -- Josie Phillips, Meliah Umstead, Emily Rine and Ashley Miller. Joining them on graduation day was sixth man Maddie Wheeler.
Dakan's optimism begins in the post. The Hornets have the luxury of a 6-foot-3 center, one with talent and much experience.
Valerie Soles can be a difference-maker in the paint at both ends of the floor. She is in her third year as a starter. The Hornets' offense will definitely revolve around her.
She will be complemented nicely by Madeline Goff. The savvy senior takes over the point guard position after seeing extensive action last winter.
A group of young and promising players provide a bright future for the program while also being key contributors this season.
Sophomore Katherine Henderson will be Goff's running mate at guard. She brings deft ballhandling and superb quickness to the floor. Henderson was a state qualifier in the long jump and high jump last spring.
The pair should be a solid backcourt tandem as Goff also possesses a nice outside touch.
Five additional seniors will provide leadership and experience to the Hornets lineup. They are Macy Long, Miranda Gray, Hailey Eastham, Rachel Watson and Caitlyn Keller. All will see ample playing time
Three underclassmen are pushing hard for varsity time. Junior Makayla Postlewait, sophomore Emily Metz and freshman Kayla Sims all play into the varsity picture.
Also vying for playing time are junior Lexi Bragg, sophomores Tori Hawkins, Brittany Mars and Elizabeth Keller, as well as freshman Madison Fetty.
Dakan will have the luxury one of the deepest Hundred teams in many a season. He has established a couple of team goals for the campaign -- those being scoring more than 60 points a game while shooting 85 percent from the charity stripe.
Dakan is being assisted by Crystal Allen.