Squaws lack size but return experience

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- With five seniors coming back and seven juniors ready to contribute, St. Vincent will try to erase the frustration of a 9-14 season.

Chelsea Brown brings back nine points a game from last year to lead the returning seniors. Other returning starters include guards Caitlin Hoeh and Daniel Schremp.

Among the three guards, Brown will be counted on once again to provide the scoring punch, sporting a strong three-point shot. Schremp and Hoeh look to improve their scoring numbers after modest scoring seasons last year.

"They all have a lot of varsity experience," St. Vincent coach Terry Wengert said. "They're confident in themselves."

The Indians sport a small lineup dominated by guards but should receive much-needed help down low from Dani Emmendorfer and LaNae Zoellner, who missed last season due to injuries.

Wengert said she expects a strong turnaround from last year's squad.

"Everybody's really upbeat -- the JV was very successful last year," she said.

St. Vincent, which was forced to stick with an eight-person rotation last season, will look to use as many as 12 players.

"I plan on using everybody," Wengert said.

The Indians will look for solid contributions from a group of seven juniors, including Allison Proft, Amanda Carron, Whitney Goose, Ashley Richardet, Daniel Wengert, Jill Zoellner and Rachel Hadler.

"The juniors coming in have a lot of confidence and can get at it too," Wengert said.

The group of 12 will have to replace the scoring and leadership of Nicole Hadler and Mindy Catoor. Hadler was last year's leading scorer with 11 points per game.

Playing in the Jefferson County Conference small-school division, St. Vincent hopes to make waves this season. Wengert said she knows the conference will be as competitive as ever.

"The conference is always tough," she said.

To be successful, St. Vincent has to overcome its lack of size. LaNae Zoellner, at 5-foot-10, is one of the bigger girls on the team. St. Vincent's guards average only around 5-4.

"It always seems like they're a lot bigger than us," Wengert said of St. Vincent's conference foes.

Sporting a three-guard look, what St. Vincent lacks in size they make up for in quickness. With that quickness the Indians will try to keep pressure on the opposing offenses and minimize their height deficiencies.

"We're going to put a lot of pressure on them and play good defense," Wengert said.

A key to the turnaround will be the experience of this year's team. With five returning seniors, and four juniors who saw varsity time last year, there is reason to believe improvement is on the horizon.

"I'm very excited about the season and hope to put it together," Wengert said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171