Central girls preview: First-year coach wants Central to pick up pace

~ Shirrell plans up-tempo style for program that has won 11 games over the past two seasons.

Central first-year coach Sherri Shirrell will try to use a more up-tempo style of play to re-energize a struggling Tigers girls program.

The Tigers return two starters from a team which managed just five wins last year. Over the past two seasons, Central has just 11 wins.

"They tended to slow the game more last year," Shirrell said. "I think we're going to be more up-tempo, push the ball up the court more."

Dani Gross and Courtney Schuessler are the Tigers' two returning starters, but nearly the entire roster saw varsity action last year.

Central has three seniors and five juniors.

Shirrell said the seniors have really been impressive in practice so far and the junior class also has plenty of leaders as well.

"I think our upperclassmen are going to be a good thing for us this year," she said.

While the sophomore and freshman classes are represented by one player apiece, freshman Wendi Zickfield could have the biggest impact on the tean this season. She is Central's tallest player at 6-foot-2.

Shirrell, who has coached Zickfield since grade school, said Zickfield will give the Tigers a big presence inside.

"If she can stay healthy and keeps working hard -- she's a little rough around the edges but she picks it up quickly -- she has the potential to be a good ballplayer," Shirrell said.

Zickfield is part of a large freshman class of girls who could bring the Tigers' basketball program back to success in the future.

"We have some talent at the freshman level and junior varsity," Shirrell said. "Our JV group is mostly freshmen. The future looks bright."

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Coach: Sherri Shirrell, first season

Assistants: Mike Conner, Amy Blattel

Last season: 5-22

Conference: SEMO Conference

Returning starters

Dani Gross 5-10 Sr. G

Courtney Schuessler 5-8 Jr. F

Rest of roster

Lauren Loftis, 5-7, Sr., G; Gina Yarbrough, 5-7, Sr., F; Christina Sexton, 5-5, Jr., G; Katie Mothershead, 5-11, Jr., F; Kristin Shirrell, 5-6, Jr., G; Paige Rothenberger, 5-5, Jr., G; Tierra Walker, 5-6, So., G/F; Wendi Zickfield, 6-2, Fr., C

Schedule

Nov. 28-Dec. 3 -- Farmington Tournament

Dec. 5 -- at Marion (Ill.)

Dec. 8 -- Farmington

Dec. 10 -- at Mt. Vernon (Ill.)

Dec. 20-22 -- Saint Francis Medical Center Classic

Jan. 2 -- Doniphan

Jan. 5 -- Poplar Bluff

Jan. 10 -- at North County

Jan. 12 -- Jackson

Jan. 14 -- Clearwater

Jan. 19 -- Egyptian (Ill.)

Jan. 21 -- Notre Dame Shootout

Jan. 23 -- Twin Rivers

Jan. 26 -- at De Soto

Jan. 28 -- at Kennett

Jan. 31 -- vs. Notre Dame at Show Me Center

Feb. 4 -- Rosati-Kain

Feb. 6 -- New Madrid County Central

Feb. 13 -- at Sikeston

Feb. 16 -- at Perryville