Independence took a small step forward last season when it finished the regular season with a 19-4 record, hosting a sectional game on a technicality.
The Patriots failed to secure that elusive postseason win though, falling in a close contest with Westside.
“After finishing last season with a 19-4 record, we are looking to build on that success and take the next step,” Independence head coach Mark Cuthbert said. “Our goal is to continue growing and developing as a team, pushing ourselves to compete at the highest level.”
The Patriots have a ton of starters back to aid their cause. It starts with scoring stars Harmony Mills and Lacey Goodson. They’re joined by returners Zoey Bragg and Jessica Vandall.
“Harmony has become a leader for us over the past two years, despite being just a junior,” Cuthbert said. “She leads by example and continues to work hard on her game. This offseason, she’s put in significant time in both the gym and the weight room. We expect her to build on the experiences from last season and take her game to the next level. Lacey had a strong freshman year and has a great skill set. She is dedicated to improving her game, and her commitment in the weight room and on the court has helped her continue to grow. We expect her to have another solid year and contribute significantly too.
“Zoey is one of our scrappiest players and plays with tremendous tenacity. We expect her to help strengthen our guard play this season. Jessica earned valuable minutes in big games last season and has been working hard on her game in the offseason. We expect her to continue growing and making an impact this year.”
Amongst the other contributors expected to help are freshmen Addy Whittaker, Chloe Moore and Kenleigh Davis as well as senior Kassidy Bradbury.
“Addy has shown a lot of promise during the preseason. Despite being a freshman, she doesn’t play like one. She’s versatile and can contribute in multiple positions on the floor. Addy has a great attitude and a strong willingness to learn, and we expect her to play a significant role for us this year. Kassidy is a first-year basketball player, but she has an impressive athletic background with a standout career in softball. She’s played in big-time games, including scoring the winning run to send her team to the state softball tournament as a sophomore. We look for her to bring that competitive experience to the basketball court and help mentor our younger players. As she continues to learn the game, we expect her to become a valuable contributor by the end of the season.
Chloe is another freshman who will play an important role this season. She is one of our better shooters and has been improving every day. Her hard work and commitment make her a key player for us moving forward. Kenleigh is a freshman who will contribute in the post this season. She’s put in a lot of work since the summer and has the potential to be a strong asset in the paint for us this year
With returning talented players, Cuthbert is optimistic.
“There’s a real sense of excitement around the team this year,” Cuthbert said. “They’ve been working hard since June and their commitment to improving each day is evident. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.”
Despite the retuning talent, Independence is fighting an uphill battle. The sectional tournament was eliminated in favor of a regional format that seeds the teams one through nine. The region is loaded with state tournament teams including title contender Greenbrier East and foes such as Sissonville, Princeton and PikeView.
“With the realignment into Class AAA, the competition will be tougher than ever,” Cuthbert said. “Teams like Greenbrier East, Princeton, PikeView, Shady Spring, Herbert Hoover, Sissonville, Nicholas County and Ripley will provide tough challenges. It’s going to be an uphill battle, but we’re looking forward to the opportunity to see if we can rise to the occasion.”
