By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
ATHENS —Athens coach Brian Miller said his program has solid numbers, but inexperience at the varsity level heading into the 2023-24 season-opener at Tioga tonight is a concern.
"We have 19 out this year, and that’s pretty good," he said. "Better than we’ve had the last couple of years, so were excited about that.
"We see the numbers growing in our 7th- and 8th-grade program, as well as in our youth program," he added. "The numbers are going to be back to normal here real quick."
The Wildcats graduated three starters from last year’s 14-9 team, and had another starter not come out for her senior year.
"We’re very inexperienced," said Miller.
Athens returns just one starter in junior Addy Wheeler, and three players from its bench - junior Sara Bronson, and seniors Izzy Davis and Kendra Merrill, who all saw limited minutes.
"Addy (Wheeler) is a very good player. She does it all — she scores, handles the ball, rebounds, distributes, and plays defense," said Miller.
"Sara (Bronson), Kendra (Merrill), and Izzy (Davis) each got a little bit of time off the bench last year," noted Miller. "I think they will all be improved, and give us good minutes this season."
Miller expects varsity newcomers — sophomore Abby Burgess, freshman McKenna Jarvis, and junior Sophia Fairchild — to contribute as well.
"We have some new girls that I’m excited about," he said. "I think we have the potential to pressure the ball, and push the ball up and down the floor.
"We had a scrimmage against O-M, and I saw a lot of good things.
"Abby Burgess got a ton of minutes on JV last year, so she’s ready to play varsity in a major contributing role," noted Miller. "She is really fast and athletic, and can handle the ball. We’re excited about her.
"McKenna Jarvis is a diamond in the rough," said Miller. "She’s shown a lot in practice, and in that first scrimmage.
"And, I think Sophia Fairchild will help us in the interior and on the boards."
Miller said he will dress three or four girls on varsity who will only see spot action — in case of foul trouble or injury — after playing major minutes on JV.
"Brielle Mayo and Megan Morgan will play mostly JV minutes, but could see some varsity time," he said. "They are two talented freshmen, and could eventually work their way into more varsity minutes.
"Sophomore Lizzie Gorsline is really athletic and can rebound," noted Miller. "She knows she has to work on her offensive skills to get more minutes at the varsity level. She’ll get that time on JVs, but I could see her earning varsity time as well.
"Ava Hughes is another one who will get JV minutes, and could see varsity action.
"We have a lot of young girls showing potential," said Miller. "Hopefully, we can put it all together by the end of the year, and get rolling.
"We had a lot of girls play a lot of minutes, and they are all gone," he added. "Now we’re looking for girls to step up and fill those rolls, and I think we have them."
Juniors Kelsie Noel, Olivia Lane, and Chaylee Kitchen will also vie for time.
Wheeler averaged 9.4 points per game last season, while the other three varsity returners (Bronson, Merrill, and Davis) combined to average 1.5 points per game.
"I think our lack of experience is a concern, and finding that consistent second and third scorer," said Miller.
"I’m hoping the ball-pressure in the full-court, and half-court will force turnovers to create some easy baskets," he noted. "And, we’re really trying to get really good at our offensive sets to get some easy shots, and scores there.
"We need to be efficient in our half-court set because we’re not going to be able to pressure every team.
"We have a lot of girls who can pressure the ball, so if teams don’t have multiple girls who can handle the ball, I think they’re going to face some problems from us," Miller added.
Miller said his team’s athleticism could help make up for some of its deficiencies.
"Our athleticism and quickness is definitely a strength," he said. "We’re really, really fast.
"This is my sixth year at Athens, and this is my quickest team by far," he noted. "It’s also my most inexperienced team by far, and my smallest team by far. We’re small, but I like the way the girls get after it.
"In the scrimmage against O-M, the kids were not afraid," added Miller. "They were aggressive, and pushing the ball, they were in people’s faces, and had lots of steals in passing lanes. It was good to see."
Miller said the scrimmage against O-M opened his eyes to the potential of his team.
"Coming into the preseason, I was a little skeptical because we were only returning one starter with major minutes, and a couple bench players who saw limited time.
"But after that first scrimmage, I’m excited," he said. "I think we have the potential to give teams some fits, and do some good things.
"It’s going to be a process to get to where we want to be," added Miller. "Every single practice and game we want to get better, to take that step where we can compete with the better teams in the NTL, and eventually District 4."
ARUOND THE NTL
"Troy has the most girls back, and I would say has the most talent back," said Miller. "I think they’re the team to beat in the Large School.
"I’d say Northeast (Bradford) is the team to beat in the Small School.
"The rest of the teams have potential, and can win on any given night," he added. "And, I think we’re one of those teams."
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IN PHOTO: Athens junior Addy Wheeler. … VSR STOCK PHOTO.
