A young Richwood girls basketball team took its lumps last year, but still managed to win six games.
Second year head coach and 1991 Richwood graduate, Chris Mullins is hoping the experienced gained last year can lead to steady improvement and more wins this season.
“We can be a good little team because I do have some athletes. I feel like we can be a .500 ball club this year if we can work hard,” Mullins said. “Hopefully I can get them to buy in and we can be competitive this year.”
Three of the athletes Mullins referenced are standout cross-country runners.
Juniors Baylee Jarrett and Carlee Dillard both finished in the top-10 at the regional meet this year, while sophomore Sophie Mullens was inside the top-15 and also qualify for states.
Jarrett will be the point guard and led the team in scoring last year. However, scoring was a struggle for the Lady Lumberjacks a year ago.
“Baylee is a good little point guard and we had several players score for us, but we struggle with shooting the basketball,” Mullins said.
To compensate for some the of the scoring woes, Mullins hopes to step up the defense will turn to more ball pressure for easy scores.
“I want to press a little more,” Mullins said. “We are going to try the basic 2-2-1 press and hopefully we can get some steals and make a few layups.”
Richwood will still be fighting the numbers game with roughly ten players on the roster, but the injury bug has already reared its ugly head.
“Savanna Moose is fighting an injury and hopefully she can make it through the season,” Mullins said. “I have another player that broke her finger and will need surgery. She is likely out 8-10 weeks.”
The line-up will be a work in progress, especially early in the season.
Chloe Cox will be the go-to player in the middle, while Addison Dudley will play the two or three position for Richwood.
“Addison is a really good girl that is versatile and a really hard worker,” Mullins said.
Dillard and Moose will see action, along with Alexxis Keiffer and Sophie Smalley.
Mullins also has a couple of freshman that he hopes will make solid contributions in Jasmine Jantuah and Kaylee Young.
The postseason will be tough for the Lumberjacks with Webster County and Greenbrier West as strong sectional opponents, along with a much-improved Meadow Bridge team.
Richwood opens the season at home against Van on Dec. 3.
