Hoeft, Miller among six returning players hoping to build on
success of last season
GILROY – The bar has been raised for the Lady Mustang hoopsters as they come off an 18-12 campaign that included a run into the CCS Semifinals in head coach Kari Williams’ first season at the helm.
But six returning varsity players don’t expect anything less from themselves, and have been working hard to refine their games and jell with the new crop of talent for a drive to the league title and even more CCS glory.
“Last year, the girls didn’t know what to expect with me coming in. Now after reaching the semis last year, the girls have expectations of themselves and I have expectations of them,” Williams said. “I’m excited about this season and I know they are working really hard. I think we have a lot more depth this year.”
Senior center Sarah Hoeft returns to the frontcourt – after a stellar junior season with the Lady Mustangs – and senior guard Sarah Miller brings the same experience to the backcourt.
“I expect both of them to be leaders on the court. They’re both three-year varsity players and they’re both good basketball players,” said Williams of her two captains. “They are going to be the heart and soul of this team, the scorers, the ones that lead us through when times get tough.”
Junior forward Michelle DiFiore and senior center Antoinette Okere add even more depth to the Lady Mustang frontcourt – both getting minutes off the bench last season on varsity.
“Antoinette has worked so hard. She’s so strong and she’s only played basketball for three years. She’s on the boards. Her shooting has improved underneath. I expect her to be in double figures by rebounding and putting the ball back up,” Williams said. “Michelle is a sneaky little forward. She has a great move, a fake shot. She can score and rebound. She has incredible dedication.”
Senior guard Laila Correa and junior point guard Shante Mancera – who returned late last year from a knee injury – bring more varsity experience to the Gilroy backcourt.
“The thing about this year is the team is carrying 11 players right now and I really have confidence in all 11. Last year, there was a gap between the starting seven and the rest,” Williams said. “This year, we really can make substitutions and there’s not that gap. They’ll be fighting for starting positions all year.”
Junior guards Kendall Costa and Amy Trujillo – who both came up from junior varsity last season for the playoffs – are also expected to be major contributors for the Lady Mustangs.
“I’m looking for them to play key roles on the team as well,” Williams said.
Sophomore guards Kristen Campos, Katherine Hussey, and Melissa Nowakowski are preparing for their first varsity experiences after all were part of last year’s undefeated freshmen team.
“I can’t wait to see them develop over the years,” Williams said. “We’re building a program here and I want to build a championship program. To do that we have to improve and get better from last year.”
The Lady Mustangs have held only five practices with their full roster since some of the girls played on a fall sports team – but they will jump right into action tonight on the road against Andrew Hill at 6:30 p.m.
“They have to get in and do the work that it takes to score, to play defense, and to win. We’re going to try to press teams again, run with the ball and score. I’m excited about that,” said Williams, who hopes to put up 60 to 70 points per game. “This year we on average are going to be a higher scoring team. Potentially, all 11 can be in double figures in scoring. We’re going to be a better free-throw shooting team. We’ve worked on that.”
Gilroy finished third last season in the Tri-County Athletic League and will once again try to knock off private power Notre Dame, the Division IV section champs.
“Notre Dame, obviously, lost a lot of players to graduation… but they will have an incredibly strong line-up. They’ll be tough. They’ll be the ones to watch,” Williams said. “Salinas made the finals last year in Division I so they’re another team to watch and we’re going to be a contender, too.”
