Youth, Lorenz combine to give Pirates a punch

Perryville turns to a young group to carry a big part of the load this year as the Pirates attempt to improve on last season's 15-10 mark.

After losing Kelly Kassel for the season due to a leg injury, coach Vicki Lohmann said she will count on "sensational sophomores" to provide a spark for the team. The sophomores already have provided energy in the preseason.

"They're helping us out so much," said Lohmann. "Those girls are so solid and have great skills."

Amber Hacker, all-conference honorable mention guard last year as a freshman, and Krista Miesner return as starters. Junior Christina Schremp and sophomores Annette Weibrecht, Bethany Steffens and Becky Bachmann will provide quality minutes off the bench. Hacker averaged eight points per game, and Miesner had two assists per game last season.

Hacker and Miesner will run a significant role in the Pirate's lineup, combining skill with a strong work ethic.

"With as much time as they got last year," said Lohmann, "they're all experienced and ready and willing to learn."

Aside from the young players, the Pirates will count on 6-foot senior forward/guard April Lorenz to handle the scoring. Lorenz, a three-year starter, averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds last year on her way to earning the Jefferson County Conference's MVP award. She had about three steals per game and shot 68 percent from the free-throw line. Lorenz broke the 600-point single season school record last year, and she entered the career 1,000-point club.

Lohmann said Lorenz is valuable because she can play at guard and post.

"She's tall so we can put her down low," said Lohmann, "but she's also a great shooter so we can stick her out on the perimeter."

Helping Lorenz at the center position will be seniors Samantha Lankford and Danielle Hagan, who averaged five points per game last season.

"When April's not underneath we can always count on Samantha and Danielle to go down and muscle up," said Lohmann.

Despite having a young lineup, Lohmann remains confident that her team's experience last year after the loss of Kassel will help them out this season.