Eagle Ridge girls preview: Eagle Ridge expects to bounce back from injury-riddled season

~ Leading scorer Margrabe returns for a team that hopes to better last year's 4-13 campaign.

Injuries took their toll on the Eagle Ridge Christian School girls last season, helping cause a disappointing 4-13 record.

"We lost two starters early in the season, and we had an injury right before the state tournament," coach Donna Powell said. "It was a rough year. I believe I may have had one player on the bench at the end of the year."

But Powell believes things are looking up this season as the Eagles shoot for their normally high finish in Missouri Christian School Activities Association Class 2A state tournament.

"I'm excited, and I know the girls are, too," Powell said. "I think it's going to be a really good year."

The Eagles return three starters, led by 5-foot-9 freshman center Kristen Margrabe, who led the team in scoring last year as an eighth-grader by averaging 14 points per game.

"She's a good player," Powell said.

Powell said she also looks for big things from 5-9 senior forward Kacie Seabaugh, a first-year squad member.

Eagle Ridge appears to have improved teamwork this year, according to Powell, and she believes the Eagles will be bolstered by adding some defensive wrinkles.

"We're trying to play multiple defenses this year," she said. "We've played zone in the past, but we're trying to play some man-to-man and trap. That should help us."

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EAGLE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL GIRLS

Coach: Donna Powell, eighth season

Assistants: Laura Ramsey, Christy Margrabe

Last season: 4-13

Conference: St. Louis Metro Athletic Conference

Returning starters

Rachel Huebel 5-7 Sr. C

Kristen Margrabe 5-9 Fr. C

Chelsey Clark 5-6 Jr. G

Rest of roster

Kacie Seabaugh, 5-9, Sr., F; Abby Cohen, 5-8, Fr., G; Emily Schlegel, 5-6, Jr., G; Nicole Ramsey, 5-7, So., G; Nikki Woodall, 5-2, Fr., G; Katie Hogan, 5-6, 7th, C; Megan Woodall, 5-0, 5th, G; Gabby Durham, 4-11, 5th, G

Remaining schedule

Nov. 22 -- Christian Outreach, 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 -- at Murphysboro, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 2-3 -- Christian Outreach School tournament, TBA

Dec. 5 -- New Salem Baptist, 5 p.m.

Dec. 19 -- Collinsville, 6 p.m.

Jan. 3 -- Peoples, 5 p.m.

Jan. 6 -- Wright City Liberty Christian, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 -- at Collinsville, Ill., 5 p.m.

Jan. 12 -- Peoples, 6 p.m.

Jan. 19 -- at New Salem, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 20 -- at Greater St. Louis Christian Academy, 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 -- at Christian Outreach School, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 -- St. Louis Christian, 6 p.m.

Feb. 2-4 -- Life Christian tournament, TBA

Feb. 6-11 -- SLMCAA tournament, at Jefferson County, TBA

Feb. 15-18 -- MCSAA state tournament, TBA