LOHMANN RETURNS TO COACH PERRYVILLE

One of the state's top girls basketball programs is currently going through a change.

And new Perryville coach Vicki Lohmann is hoping that one aspect that will not change is the program's winning tradition.

Lohmann served as JV coach the last eight seasons and as assistant to longtime Perryville head coach Steve Wunderlich. But in one of the surprising moves since last season, Wunderlich, at odds with some of the administration, decided to accept a job elsewhere.

Lohmann, who played for two Lady Pirate teams which reached the 3A Final Four (1983, 1984), unexpectedly found herself coaching her old team.

She was also coaching a school which had won 11 district titles in the last 17 years.

"We have a great system at Perryville and I'm just adding on my ideas," said Lohmann.

Lohmann said the program has always stressed defense and she plans on her players making a nuisance of themselves.

"We're going to try to press and play tenacious defense and get in everybody's face," said Lohmann.

Overall team quickness and depth will help Lohmann towards that goal.

The Lady Pirates return two starters in senior point guard April Watts and senior center Renee Kaempfe.

The 6-foot Kaempfe averaged 12 points per gram and six rebounds as a junior.

"When she gets the ball in her hands she's able to score," said Lohmann. "She's a strong inside player."

Watts (5-4) averaged eight points last season, but Lohmann said her main strengths are her defense and passing.

"She's lightning quick and able to handle the ball and take it with her to the hole," said Lohmann.

Senior guard Laura Ernst (5-10) will also return to the squad after missing her junior season with a knee injury.

The Lady Pirates also return four junior lettermen in point guard Shannon Dreyer (5-3), forward/guard Amy Verseman (5-8), forward/guard Tiffany Perkins (5-10) and guard Jenny Blevins (5-4).

Lohmann said she believes has some good shooters with Watts, Kaempfe, Dreyer, Blevins and Ernst all capable from hitting from long range.

"They're all capable of shooting, if they have the confidence for a game, I don't know about that," said Lohmann.

Four of Lohmann's JV players will also move up to the varsity. All four are juniors: Jaimee Mueller (5-8), Jill Berkbuegler (5-9), Julie Berkbuegler (5-11) and Sarah Hemingway (5-7).

The Lady Pirates tipped off the season Monday in their own Perryville Thanksgiving Tournament.