Despite losses, Lady Mikes have same goals
Emily Novak (center) shoots for two points against Sam Hart (left) and Katie Reagan (right) during practice at Carmichaels.
Emma Lowery (left) advances downcourt while being guarded by Laura Walker during practice at Carmichaels. (Photo by Joel Brewton)
Joel Brewton | Herald-Standard
Joel Brewton | Herald-Standard Molly Roberts (left) prepares to pass the ball against Caroline Cree during practice at Carmichaels.
Joel Brewton | Herald-Standard
Joel Brewton | Herald-Standard Moriah Hathaway (left) moves up to the basket while Laura Walker guards her during practice at Carmichaels.
Despite losing a 1,000-point scorer and four-fifths of its starting line-up from a year ago, the Carmichaels girls’ basketball squad and coach Jim Lane still have their sights set on making the playoffs and making an impact in the very competitive Section 3-A this season.
In 2012-13, the Lady Mikes earned a 19-4 overall record, a second-place section finish with an 8-2 mark and their ninth consecutive trip to the postseason.
Carmichaels has had one of the most successful programs in recent history in the area, collecting at least 10 wins a year for 15 straight seasons.
Despite their success in the regular season, the Lady Mikes saw their season end abruptly with a first-round loss to Cornell.
This year, Carmichaels will look to replace four senior starters, including 1,000-point scorer and the school’s all-time assist leader, Morgan Berardi.
“Every year is different, and you’re going to have to reload when you lose so many key pieces,” Lane said. “We had a great group of seniors that left us a year ago, but it’s time to move on. It’s a different feel in practice from the last couple of years, but we have made the adjustments and our goals are still the same.”
Lane also points out that despite plenty of new faces in the lineup for the Lady Mikes, the team identity will still be unselfish, defensive basketball.
“We are looking to play possession basketball and have our defense dictate the game,” Lane said. “We have to have good shot selection, rebound the ball and play team defense. Our goal every year since I have been here is to keep our opponents under 40 points. If you can do that night in and night out, you give yourself a chance to win games.”
Carmichaels has three letter winners coming back this season in senior forward Amanda Brown, junior guard Anna Cree and junior forward Molly Roberts.
Brown is a three-year starter and averaged close to a double-double a year ago, while Cree has also seen significant time on the floor the last two years and is an excellent perimeter shooter.
“Both Amanda and Anna have been starters for us the last number of years, and they know what to expect at this level,” Lane said. “We are going to ask them to do a little bit more for us this season. They are both great leaders. Both of them are very versatile, and we are looking for a good inside-outside game from both of them.”
Lane mentions that the team around Brown and Cree must also step up this year and he lists Roberts, junior forwards Emily Novak and Mariah Hathaway and sophomore guard Emma Lewis as key pieces for the Lady Mikes this year.
As for Section 3-A, where five of the six teams qualified for the postseason a year ago, Lane expects a very competitive and close race.
“There are a lot of quality teams and outstanding coaches in the section,” Lane said. “Some of the teams lost some key seniors from a year ago and others are pretty stacked with young talent. We are going to take it one game at a time and we know on any given night, anybody can beat anybody. Every game is going to matter and everyone is going to be battling for the playoffs.”
The Lady Mikes begin the season at the Charleroi Tipoff Tournament on Dec. 6-7 and start the Section 3-A schedule at home against rival West Greene on Jan. 2.