Nov. 28—Ashland does not plan on losing any time.
That goes for the way the Kittens will play this season, and for the way they’re adjusting to that mindset below a brand new coach.
“There’s occasions they assume they are going quick, however they are not,” first-year bench boss Stacy Franz Davis stated, “so we’re attempting to show them that there is that subsequent gear, that subsequent degree they’ll go to.
“They’re liking it. They’ve stated earlier than, we like getting up and down the ground. Conditioning’s a giant factor, getting them in situation and form for that, however we have got eight, 9, 10 women I believe we are able to rotate.”
Three of Ashland’s high 5 scorers graduated from final yr’s sixteenth Area Match runner-up, however eight Kittens return or transferred in who performed in double-digit video games final season.
“They’re beginning to notice what their position is, and as they begin to achieve confidence, it is gonna be scary,” Davis stated. “I believe they’re gonna shock some folks.”
Ella Sellars and Kenleigh Woods tied the departed Mikayla Martin for team-high scoring honors with 11.8 ppg apiece final season. Sellars and Woods are again to run the present.
Sellars can also be Ashland’s main returning rebounder (5.6 rpg final season). She is rising right into a management position and Davis anticipates she’s going to rating extra, the coach stated.
Woods units the tempo — usually a brisk one — as the purpose guard. Davis praised her intelligence, vitality and courtroom imaginative and prescient, in addition to a shot ok that she might spend a while on the off guard spot as nicely.
Jaidyn Gulley (5.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg final season) and Gabby Karle, who averaged 9.7 factors and three.9 rebounds over 24 video games at Rose Hill Christian and Greenup County final yr, present depth at level guard.
Khia Robinson netted 3.9 factors and 4.3 rebounds per sport and is getting seems to be with the primary group, as is Aryanna Gulley, who offers some measurement and flexibility, Davis stated.
Emme Rogers has “in all probability our greatest 15-foot-and-in shot,” Davis stated. Brooklyn Duckwyler and Jenna DeLaney present nonstop vitality and are sturdy defenders, in response to their coach.
Amelia Lucas, again in this system after a two-season hiatus, provides size, has displayed sturdy footwork and acclimated nicely in drills, Davis stated.
Ashland will rebound by committee after dropping Martin, who was lower than a rebound per sport shy of averaging a double-double within the put up. Aryanna Gulley will play a key position there, Davis stated.
The Kittens received 12 of their final 15 video games final season. All three losses throughout that stretch had been to Boyd County, by margins of 1 and three factors earlier than a 51-35 setback within the area event closing that was a lot tighter than that at halftime.
“They’ve talked about that,” Davis stated of her gamers. “I believe they’re smelling the blood there. They are going after it.”
Nevertheless that works out, Davis expects to see the Kittens proceed seen progress.
“I believe you may see an enormous distinction from the start of the season to the tip,” she stated. “It would look a bit ugly earlier than it seems to be fairly.”
