A lot has changed in New Richmond.
The expectations haven’t.
Wyoming East finds itself under new management after the retirement of Angie Boninsegna who led the Lady Warriors to three state championships. Replacing her is former assistant Ryan Davidson who was on staff for championships in 2021 and ’23.
The transition has went well.
“It’s been seamless because they know me so well and I know them so well,” Davidson said. “We’ve tweaked some things and changed some things in practice so we can play a little faster and play more people. But other than that a lot will be the same.”
The goal for the Lady Warriors is the same as it has been since 2016 – win a state championship. The reigning champs have the tools to do so. Despite the graduation of three starters, the two they do return are amongst the best in the state. Guards Cadee Blackburn and Maddie Clark were first-team all-state selections last season.
“They’re our leaders,” Davidson said. “We’re going to lean on them heavily, especially early. It’s going to fall on them early to lead this team and it’s not something they’ve had to do in the past as much. They’ve just played but now the way they act, the way they talk and the way they lead all matters. That’s a part of growing also and the quicker they figure that out the better we’ll be. It’s going to take some time.”
While Davidson knows what to expect from Clark and Blackburn, there isn’t a ton of experience around them. Juniors Alivia Monroe and Gabby Cameron have played periodically throughout their careers but experience is mostly limited.
“I think that’s going to be a key for us this year,” Davidson said. “I think filling those holes is why we’re going to have some peaks and valleys. We’re going to ask kids to play in roles they’ve never played in before. That’s a lot of experience. You’re talking about three state championship appearances and two winners. I think it’s going to take some time. I think we’re talented enough but it’s going to take some time. But there’s only one way to get it and that’s to do it.”
That said, Davidson fields a rotation that stretches to nine. He’ll play a lot of post players including sisters Kenna and Charleigh Price but he’s confident he’ll find several lineups that work well together.
“I think our athleticism and height are strengths,” Davidson said. “We have the ability to play fast and in the half court I feel like we can finally throw it to the post again and do some other things in the half court maybe we haven’t been able to do in awhile.”
One of Davidson’s toughest tasks will be guarding against complacency. There was some of it last year and it cost the team at times but when it mattered they righted the ship and claimed a title. The belief is they’ll learn quickly if they take teams lightly. The schedule features Chapmanville, East Fairmont, Mingo Central, Summers County and Charleston Catholic amongst others. Each of those teams have a chance to be playing on the final Saturday of the season.
“I think our schedule will keep them level-headed because it’s so hard,” Davidson said. “The region is extremely difficult again. If you don’t focus early you’re going to lose some games early. The fact that we make every practice completive helps too. We try to make every practice, every rep competitive. If we do that and try to be the best version of ourselves at every practice it will help us.”
