Staff writer
Sherri Pankratz, a 1985 Centre graduate, is leading her alma mater’s girls basketball team this year.
She was a starter at Centre for three years and played one year of college ball. She later coached children’s soccer, softball, and basketball.
“I’ve never coached high school,” she said. “I was asked if I would do it, and I worked things out with my full-time employer, Kansas Department of Transportation.”
Her daughter, Leann Trout, is her assistant.
Returning seniors Carly Deines, Alex Remmers, and Lexis Brewer will be joined by sophomores Allie Stuchlik and Jenaya Plett and freshman Olivia Carlson in the starting rotation.
Other players are sophomores Emilee Remmers, Jenna Bittle, Mariah Brasch, and Michelle Brasch and freshmen Kaitlynn Bina and Hailey Barton.
Coaches and players are just getting acquainted and are working at being comfortable together, Pankratz said.
She has the challenge of developing offensive and defensive plays and learning the strengths of each player.
“I will be looking for opportunities to improve each girl’s talent and emphasize their strengths during games,” she said. “Our goal is to improve every game.”
Pankratz expects every team in the Wheat State League to be a challenge. Little River and Goessel have a lot of returning players and possibly will be the Cougars’ toughest opponents.
Centre’s first game will be Friday at home against Wakefield.