Led By Determined Senior Class, Sheridan Girls Eyeing MVL Three-Peat
THORNVILLE, OH
16-0.
That was the mark last year in an unforgettable season for Sheridan en route to a second consecutive big school division title. But as remarkable as last season was for the Lady Generals, this year’s seniors are ready to make their mark on the court.
“We graduated two girls who were full scholarship players” said head coach J.D. Walters. “Jamisyn Stinson is at University of North Florida, which is a Division I school. She’s our school’s all-time leading scorer, so obviously that’s a big loss.”
“We also graduated Nora Saffell, who is at Union University, which is one of the top DII schools in the country, down in Tennessee. They scored over half our points last year between the two of them. So definitely two big losses. We’re just going to have to replace them with extra effort.”
Two talented seniors depart the team, and twice as many emerge to step up. The quartet of Halle Warner, Ava Heller, Addi Shaeffer, and Payton Powell will look to pick up right where the Lady Generals left off last season atop the MVL big school division.
Walters continued, “It’s definitely going to be by committee. We do have some girls whose roles are changing for sure this year. Three of our starters do return (Heller, Warner, Powell). They’ve been starters for at least one year, some of them two or three years.”
“But we have some younger girls who were more role players last year that are going to have to step up and be a little more aggressive offensively.
Heller said, “Last year, the seniors left big roles to fill. But, I feel like we kind of already had a big role last year. So we kind of already know what to expect and how to lead our team.”
Warner added, “I almost feel like it’s our time to shine. They had their chance last year and I feel like it’s our time to go. No matter the big moment, just take advantage of it. Because if you have that opportunity then it’s your chance to go.”
“I think this year, our big thing is communication” claimed Powell. “We have to work. I feel like we have to work harder to be more comfortable with each other and just talking to each other and how we’re going to run things differently.”
“We lost a really tall person and a really good rebounder and shooter, so we’re going to have to each step up and rebound. Coach is really big on rebounding, so if we can all do our part and get rebounds” said Shaeffer.
“I think that it’s not just a one-person game. We all have to work as a team and we all work better when we communicate and work as a team, share the ball. I feel like we score the most points that way.”
It will take a total team effort for Sheridan if the Lady Generals wish to go for the three-peat in the big school division, and with even greater goals beyond that.
