Notre Dame girls preview: Notre Dame tries to bounce back from rare losing season

Notre Dame suffered a rare losing season last year, something long-time coach Jerry Grim does not expect to do again.

"It's been since 1988 that I had one," Grim said. "I don't want another one."

The Bulldogs return their top two scorers from last year and have a roster full of experienced players.

Kristain Burger, a 5-foot-10 forward, led the team in scoring and rebounding last year. Meridith Medlin, Notre Dame's point guard, was second on the team.

Twins Amanda and Allison Toole are the lone seniors on the roster.

"Even though we are a young team, all of these kids had varsity experience last year," Grim said. "I think with the schedule we play, they'll be able to handle the pressure."

Applying pressure is something the Bulldogs will have to do more of to be successful. Notre Dame had won eight straight district titles before last year with Grim's teams taking advantage of a strong press.

"Last year, I didn't think we did a good job of that, and it hurt us," Grim said.

Along with their experience, the Bulldogs also have a roster filled with good athletes. Nearly every player on the roster played a fall sport, with Burger and Miranda Schlosser starring for the second-place state softball team.

"I hope that athleticism carries over," Grim said. "If a kid's a good athlete, they'll do good things for you."

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NOTRE DAME GIRLS

Coach: Jerry Grim, 24th season

Assistants: Darren Heuring, Tim Drury, Franqua Bedell

Last season: 10-17

Conference: SEMO Conference

Returning starters

Merideth Medlin 5-7 Jr. G

Kristain Burger 5-10 Jr. F

Allison Toole 5-8 Sr. G

Rest of roster

Amanda Toole, 5-8, Sr., F; Emily Blattel, 5-7, Jr., G/F; Miranda Schlosser, 5-8, Jr., C; Claudia Brauss, 6-1, Jr., C; Teresa Miller, 5-7, Jr., F

Schedule

Nov. 28-Dec. 3 -- Farmington tournament

Dec. 5 -- New Madrid County, 6 p.m.

Dec. 8 -- at Perryville, 6 p.m.

Dec. 10 -- at Kennett, 2 p.m.

Dec. 17 -- St. Louis Notre Dame, 11 a.m.

Dec. 19-23 -- Saint Francis Medical Center Holiday Classic

Jan. 2 -- Fredericktown, 6 p.m.

Jan. 6 -- at St. Joseph's Academy, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 -- Farmington, 5 p.m.

Jan. 12 -- Sikeston, 6 p.m.

Jan. 16 -- at Poplar Bluff, 6 p.m.

Jan. 21 -- Notre Dame Girls Shootout

Jan. 23 -- Doniphan, 6 p.m.

Jan. 26 -- at Jackson, 6 p.m.

Jan. 28 -- at MICDS, 3:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 -- at Central, 6 p.m.

Feb. 4 -- Westminster Christian, 4 p.m.

Feb. 6 -- Dexter, 6 p.m.

Feb. 8 -- at St. Vincent, 5 p.m.

Feb. 13 -- at Nerinx Hall, 5 p.m.