By AARON MANAGHAN
Sports editor
Coach Denise Baxter has heard it before.
Last year, the Central Kitsap girls basketball team started the season 2-7, gathering a slew of doubters before streaking all the way to a state berth.
And while the team again lost some valuable players in seniors Kim Kummer, Dacotah Ettl and Melinda Pfaff, Baxter believes if this squad tries hard enough, a return to the postseason is not out of the question.
“Where a lot of times you’d go ‘Here we go again,’ with this group, one kid asked me how many teams go to the state tournament,” Baxter said. “They’re very proud of being in the program. At the same time, we still have a big drop off in confidence from last year.”
But Baxter said that’s something she expects will grow stronger as the CK squad gets more comfortable together on the court.
“As the kids get more playing time, that will come,” she said.
Katie Lintz and Lauren Forney are both back for the Cougars this season, as are fellow seniors Nolan Winger, Samy Sudy, Mandy Warner and Lindsey Hart. Amanda Evans returns as well, joined by Natalie Pfaff, NaeNae Tibbs and Molly Edde.
“It’s really a combination of a lot of kids,” Baxter said of her team, adding that different players are stepping up all the time. “Nolan has stepped up lately.”
Lintz has taken the offensive load on so far.
“Katie will battle anytime, anyplace, anywhere,” Baxter said. “That’s her demeanor. She wants that challenge.”
With a mix of experience on the roster, Baxter said the team should see improved play on the court throughout this year, much like last season.
“It’s a good mix,” she said. “It’s a hard mix to start with. We’ve got a little of this and a little of that.”
But Baxter said she can already see on-court leadership starting to develop.
“We’re still kind of seeing that right now,” she said. “It’s just gonna take some time.”
While the Narrows League has always been tough, Baxter said once again, the Bay Division is tougher.
“The thing that’s toughest again is our division,” she said. “We’re just in a tough spot. But that’s OK. You want to have to battle to get in.”
While it may not be the most comfortable style of play for her team, Baxter said CK will have to play a physical game to succeed in the Narrows.
“Our intent is to play physical basketball,” Baxter said. “All of them are not really built for power. For us to be in our division, they’ll have to play physical.”
That means going strong in one-on-one situations, taking the ball to the hoop and boxing out.
“It’ll take a little while to develop,” she said.
CK hosted Mount Tahoma last night but results were unavailable at press time. CK will travel to Bellarmine on Tuesday in a 7 p.m. match-up.
