The El Molino Lady Lions have taken their share of lumps on the high school basketball court in recent years, a seasonal challenge that has lasted for more than a decade.
Veteran coach Keith Nordby is gunning for a big turnaround this season, hopeful that a group of three returning players and an infusion of youth will be enough to better their four-win total of last year.
“We’re very young this year and due to soccer I’ve lost some players,” Nordby reported, referring to the move of the soccer schedule from a fall to a winter sport. “We’re looking forward to a great season, with some fresh young faces.”
The list of returning veterans includes senior forward Lily Krauss, a solid rebounder and scorer, junior guard Grace Anderson, among the team’s assist leaders and scorers last season, and sophomore forward Hailey Sheridan, a player with loads of potential.
Anderson, Sheridan and Krauss were forced to choose between soccer and basketball this winter, a dilemma that has no doubt been a painful one for multi-sport athletes.
The list of first-year varsity players includes senior Lacy Alberigi, junior Jordan Rodger, sophomores Kassidy Sani, Maggie McKenkey-Whistler, Gracie St. Marie and Hailee Walker and freshman Yasmin Sierra.
The Lions (0-1) opened the preseason campaign on Nov. 21 at Lower Lake, falling to the Trojans in a 72-25 rout.
Scheduling notes
El Molino resumed hard-court action with a home clash against Tomales on Nov. 27 (after press time) and will host Middletown on Thursday, Nov. 29. (varsity 7:30 p.m.). The Lions will participate in the Piner Tournament on Nov. 30-Dec. 2), opening up on Nov. 30 against Novato (5:30 p.m.). El Mo will compete in the 69th annual Redwood Empire Invitational Basketball Tournament on Dec. 6-9), opening tipping off on Dec. 6 versus Justin Siena (4 p.m.).
Next week: a look at the Lady Tigers.
