Depth, youth and diversity are the three elements which characterize the Oxford girls varsity basketball team this season.
‘I really like the group we have,? said Coach Al Poynter, who’s back to lead the Lady Cats a second year. ‘They’re a good group of kids.?
Consisting of four seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and one freshman, the team is ‘really dedicated,? according to Poynter.
‘They really want to be there,? he said. ‘They’re ready to go.?
Having a team so diverse in age, skill and experience, Poynter said, ‘The biggest thing is trying to bring this group together? and ‘build that bond as a team.?
‘So far, I think we are,? he said.
Despite a disappointing 59-52 loss to Lake Orion to open the season Monday, Poynter believes the Lady Cats have a lot of potential this season.
With Oxford hosting the district tournament at the end of the season, the goal this year is to play well enough to win a game or two in the tournament.
‘We get three home games in five days maybe we can win the district championship,? Poynter said. ‘I’m enthusiastic about this group. I’ve got a good feeling about them.?
Having six returning players is definitely one of the team’s biggest strengths. Here’s the lowdown on each:
Senior Danielle Esman (captain) ? Ready to play her third year of varsity basketball, she’s ‘a legitimate scoring threat? to her opponents.
‘She’s probably going to be one of our main scorers,’Poynter said. ‘She’s improved her shooting quite a bit.?
‘I think her confidence is really high, which is good. I think all her hard work has led to her gaining that confidence,? the coach noted.
Senior Lauren Harms (captain) ? ‘A good defensive player? who’s ‘going to play a pretty big role? for the team as a guard was the way Poynter described this young lady.
This will be Harms third year on the varsity squad. He noted her confidence has also improved.
Senior Stacey Sutphin (captain) ? This second year varsity member ‘played quite a bit last year off the bench,? Poynter said. ‘She plays very tough. She’s very hard-nosed.?
Poynter noted she’s becoming ‘more vocal? ? directing teammates where they need to be on the court ? and ‘more of a leader.?
Senior Chelsey Line ? Although she didn’t play much last year, Poynter said she ‘has a chance to get some minutes this year.?
‘She’s improved a lot,? he said. ‘She’s the type of a kid that will just go. If you tell her to sprint through the wall, she’ll do it.?
Sophomore Joelle Harms ? As a freshman on the varsity squad last year, she was ranked as 13 among the top 15 players in the league.
‘She’s a got a chance to be a real special player for the next three years here in all facets ? offensively, defensively,? Poynter said.
Junior Kelsey Oliver (captain) ? Although she struggled with the sophomore jinx last year, Poynter said, ‘This year she’s much more aggressive.?
‘I really think she’s learned from her mistakes last year and made herself a better player,? the coach said of this third-year varsity player. She earned one of our team captain positions.?
As for the new girls, here’s what Poynter had to say:
Junior Shardae Moore ? After playing two years of varsity ball for Pontiac Northern, Moore’s transferred to OHS to continue her athletic and academic careers.
‘She has a chance to be a real difference-maker for us, especially defensively,? Poynter said.
Junior Amanda Teller — A new arrival from the JV squad, Poynter described her as a ‘rock solid player? who you ‘can count on to do the right thing.?
Junior Jessica Drolshagen ? A ‘good shooter? up from the JV squad.
Sophomore Brooke Bocquet ? A ‘very good defensive player? from the JV squad who’s also ‘improving as an offensive player,? according to Poynter. ‘She should be a pretty big part of our team for the next three years.?
Sophomores Le’Essa Collier and Jessica Raisch ? Both ladies played on the freshman team last year. Both improved so much over the summer that they ‘earned their spots? on varsity,? Poynter said.
Freshman Allie Laidlaw ? She ‘doesn’t look like a freshman,? said Poynter. ‘If you saw her play, you wouldn’t know it.?
Laidlaw is a ‘very steady ball handler, good shooter? and ‘good defender.?