NTL GIRLS BASKETBALL: GRADUATION LOSSES FORCE ATHENS' MILLER TO CHANGE 'PHILOSOPHY' IN 2022-23 (2022-12-01)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — With the loss of a pair of strong low-post players from last year’s team, Athens girls basketball coach Brian Miller is looking to change the Lady Wildcats’ approach in 2022-23.


“In our first scrimmage against Odessa-Montour, it did look pretty good,” noted Miller. “We scored a lot of buckets in transition.

“Our biggest problem last year was scoring points consistently, so hopefully with a lot of kids back with experience, and some easy baskets in transition, we can increase our scoring opportunities,” he added.

Scoring points was an issue at times last year, and losing Macik, who was a 1,000-point scorer, won’t help in finding a remedy.

“Over the last couple years, we lost Kayleigh Miller and her 3-point shooting, and Caydence Macik and her scoring around the bucket … we’ve lost a lot of good scorers the last couple years,” said Miller.

“I don’t think we can replace that scoring with any one girl,” noted Miller. “We’re looking for all the girls to step up scoring-wise … we all need to step it up as a team.”

Sophomore Addy Wheeler returns at point guard, and senior Karlee Bartlow is back at the 2-guard. Senior Emma Bronson will step into a starting role at the 3 or 4, with junior Mya Thompson also at 3 or 4, and senior Natalee Watson manning the center spot.

Sophomore Sara Bronson and junior Kendra Merrill, a transfer from Sayre, will see minutes in the back court, and junior Izzy Davis will see time in the low post.

“I think finding our identity on offense is my biggest concern,” said Miller. “I think sometimes we get frustrated because we’re not hitting the shot, and not scoring … but we’re playing good defense, and holding teams down.

“We just have to persevere for those three, four, five minutes in a game where we’re not scoring, and play good defense for 32 minutes.

“The scoring will come, and it will get better as the year goes on,” noted Miller. “I think it will get better as we get use to playing with each other in this style — pushing the ball with a purpose and not just pushing it with crazy passes and throwing the ball all over the place.”

While he’s lacking size, Miller believes his team’s versatility will be beneficial.

“I think our versatility is a strength,” he said. “Even though we did lose two big girls inside, we have Natalee coming into her own.

“We have girls who can play inside and out — Emma Bronson and Mya Thompson can play defense on guards, and they can play inside post defense,” he noted. “Addy Wheeler is an outstanding point guard, but she can also post people up. And, she can play defense on any position on the floor.

“I think our versatility is going to help us out a lot,” Miller added.

Miller’s expectations for this year’s team are just about the same as any year.

“I expect to be competitive in every game,” he said. “I think we’re talented enough to compete with the best teams on our schedule, and possibly come out with a win.

“We’re trying to win the NTL Large School Division, and the NTL Showdown.

“We’re aiming to get into District play, and maybe win a game or two, and maybe compete for a District title,” Miller added.

THE NTL LARGE SCHOOL DIVISION
“Towanda is the defending champ, and returns a good core,” said Miler. “I would say they are probably the favorite to win.

“Troy brings a nice core of young players back and should contend for the league title,” noted Miller. “I would say we’re in the mix as well.

“Everybody else is looking to rebuild and get into contention,” he added.

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IN PHOTO: Athens sophomore Addy Wheeler.