Bass has high expectations for Lady Commodores
Frazier’s girls basketball team only has a trio of seniors on its roster but that hasn’t dampened coach Jonathan Bass’s expectations for this season.
“I’m expecting good basketball from our team this year,” said Bass, who is in his third year of guiding the Lady Commodores. “Fundamentals, ball movement, work inside out to utilize our shooting in the half court. We want to play in transition as much as possible.
“Defensively, against teams we have a quickness advantage on, we will use a full-court, aggressive, man-to-man press. And if we don’t have that advantage, we will play half-court, man-to-man with different zone defense occasionally to give a different look.”
The three seniors are point guard Allie Yauch, forward/guard Malana Burton and guard Chloe Harger.
“Our seniors are our leaders and captains,” Bass said. “They are three-year starters and bring a lot of experience and skill.”
Yauch averaged 13 points per game, Burton put up 10 points and seven rebounds and Harger also averaged 10 points last season.
Filling out the starting lineup, according to Bass, will be sophomore guard Clea Bozek and junior forward Liara Snyder.
“First players off the bench will be junior guard Margo Snyder and freshman forward Emersyn Roebuck,” Bass said.
Overall, Frazier has six juniors, two sophomores and four freshmen, in addition to the three seniors, on its roster.
The Lady Commodores will compete in Section 4-2A along with defending champion Winchester Thurston and playoff teams Riverview, Apollo-Ridge and Ellis School along with Jeannette. Frazier was 2-8 in section play and 6-16 overall last year.
“We have been working hard on our defense, which needs to get better from last season for us to be successful and realize our potential,” Bass said. “My realistic goal for our team is to make a big jump and finish second in our section.
“Winchester Thurston is always tough. Last year we lost a lot of section games we were capable of winning. I expect to correct that this season.”
That will be the key if Frazier is to make a push for the postseason, according to Bass.
“We respect every team in our section, but our goal is to beat the teams we should beat and make the playoffs,” Bass said. “Then see what happens at that point.”