After quarterfinal run, simple goals are focus

Fourth-year coach Rod McQuerter has found that simple goals go a long way toward success.

McQuerter has taken goals of stressing fundamentals, playing hard and playing as a team into the last few seasons and came away with big results. After a 23-5 record two years ago, McQuerter led the Hawks to a 23-6 mark last season, including a trip to the Class 3 quarterfinals.

"Our philosophy is to practice hard every day and have a positive attitude," McQuerter said.

Senior leadership plays a big part in that approach and the Hawks will be a bit short in that department with just two seniors.

Kelly graduated six players from last year's team, which included leading scorer and rebounder Dana Essner.

Two of the Hawks' three returning starters are seniors in guards Ashley Kern and Monica Senciboy.

"The seniors do have great attitudes and work hard every single day," McQuerter said.

Junior point guard Kelly Essner, who scored 23 of the Hawks' 53 points in a sectional overtime victory over Twin Rivers, is the top returning scorer from last season.

Essner, a two-year starter, averaged 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals her sophomore season. Kern, also a two-year starter, averaged seven points and over four rebounds, while Senciboy scored five points a game.

Graduation claimed the Hawks' front court and it appears to be Hawks' biggest question entering the season. But Kelly does have three junior forwards with varsity experience in Jessica Burnett (5-7), Rachel Kline (5-9) and Stephanie Hency (5-8). More help up front can be found in sophomores Mindy Robert (5-10), Katie Powell (6-0), Sarah McConnell (5-7) and Megan Tetley (5-8).

The Hawks also have more depth at guard in sophomores Amber Dirnberger ( 5-5) and Laura Jo Desmuke (5-6) and freshmen Brittany Ponder (5-7) and Nikki Weiny (5-7).

"We're very young and want to focus on the fundamentals," McQuerter said. "We're just hoping our juniors and seniors can help the freshmen and sophomores become better ball players."