Woodland girls preview: First-year coach likes team's competitiveness

~ Recent Southeast graduate DePew takes the helm at Woodland and gets Glastetter back from an injury.

As a first year coach who is fresh out of Southeast Missouri State, Stephanie DePew finds it hard to predict how Woodland's girls will do when it comes to wins and losses.

But she is sure of one thing.

"These girls are going to go out and compete in every game, and they want to win," said DePew, who is a Centralia, Ill., native.

The Cardinals had some success last season, falling just a game under .500. They return senior guard Sasha Hutson, junior guard Rheanna Greer and junior forward Francee VanGennip from the starting lineup.

But they also bring back junior center Courtney Glastetter, the team's tallest player at 5-11. Glastetter was a starter on the varsity level as a freshman but missed all of last year after ACL surgery.

"We are very excited about having Courtney back," DePew said. "She gives us a real presence inside, and first and foremost we are going to try to get the ball into her. But we also have some girls like Greer, Hutson and Jessica Cureton who can shoot the ball.

"I feel I can put out five girls to start the game who have some good experience and all can score."

DePew has been stressing teamwork during the preseason.

"We have some experience and also have a group of freshmen and sophomores who are very talented and athletic who could help out this year," DePew said. "I feel that as we go out and compete and play as a team that good things will happen."

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WOODLAND GIRLS

Coach: Stephanie DePew, first season

Assistant: none

Last season: 12-13

Conference: Stoddard County

Returning starters

Sasha Hutson 5-6 Sr. G

Rheanna Greer 5-7 Jr. G

Francee VanGennip 5-10 Jr. F

Rest of roster

Courtney Glastetter, 5-11, Jr., C; Tasha Lincoln, 5-9, Jr., F; Erica Vance, 5-6, Jr., G/F; Jessica Cureton, 5-6, Jr., G/F; Gina Kasal, 5-7, Jr., F

Schedule

Nov. 21 -- Fredericktown, 6 p.m.

Nov. 29 -- at Meadow Heights, 6 p.m.

Dec. 5 -- at Greenville, 6 p.m.

Dec. 8 -- at Chester, 6 p.m.

Dec. 12 -- at Puxico, 6 p.m.

Dec. 13 -- East Prairie, 6 p.m.

Dec. 15 -- at Chaffee, 6 p.m.

Dec. 20-22 -- Saint Francis Medical Center Holiday Classic

Jan. 2 -- Scott City, 6 p.m.

Jan. 3-7 -- Delta New Year's tournament

Jan. 9 -- at Clearwater, 6 p.m.

Jan. 10 -- West County, 6 p.m.

Jan. 16 -- at Oran, 6 p.m.

Jan. 19 -- Meadow Heights, 6 p.m.

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

Jan. 30 -- Clearwater, 6 p.m.

Feb. 2 -- Ste. Genevieve, 6 p.m.

Feb. 6 -- Oran, 6 p.m.

Feb. 9 -- at Delta, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 20 -- Chaffee, 6 p.m.