New coach ready to lead young Tigers team

New Central coach Amy Blattel knows she has a challenge ahead of her.

The Tigers graduated five of their top six players and have only one senior and three upperclassmen likely to contribute to the team.

But that doesn't mean Blattel won't expect her team to contend for a conference and district title before the season is over.

"I have high expectations for this team and every team I coach," Blattel said.

Central returns Megan McDonald, an experienced point guard who came on late last season after missing time with a knee injury. McDonald will be the only senior on the roster and the only player who saw significant varsity playing time last season.

"She's expected to be a leader, and she's expected to coach on the floor," Blattel said. "She's going to have to take on a more vocal leadership role than she's had in the past."

McDonald will play a "unique" role on the team, according to Blattel, acting as a mentor and role model for a group of talented sophomores getting their first real taste of varsity.

"Those kids are learning from working with her," Blattel said.

How quickly Central's sophomores are able to adapt will go a long way toward determining the Tigers' success. Not only will the group of sophomores have to play extensive minutes, but they'll be counted on to play pivotal roles.

"I expect them all to step up," Blattel said.

After coming off a season that ended in a close district final loss to Jackson, the Tigers will have the luxury of having three post options.

Junior Lisa Langenfeld (5-foot-11) and sophomores Jessica Johnston (5-11) and Sonja Williams (6-0) give the Tigers a strong inside presence. Match that with a group of quick guards and the Tigers should be able to play the strong defensive style Blattel preaches.

"I think if our players go out and work hard," Blattel said, "they will surprise a lot of people."

The Tigers will get tough tests early on with the Farmington Tournament to open the season and then the HealthSouth Christmas Tournament before getting into the meat of their schedule. Included on that schedule are St. Louis private school powers Nerinx Hall and Rosati Kain.

"What we do up to February doesn't matter as long as we're going out and getting better on the floor," Blattel said.

Blattel said she wants to keep things simple and hopes to see improvement every time out.

"That's our goal: Every time we take the floor, we want to get better than the time before," she said.

Whoever starts for the Tigers, they know they have the pressure of trying to continue Central's success and make a run at their first district title since 1989.

"They feel as though they have something to prove," Blattel said.