By NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Staff writer

Ryan Hoopes enters his 16th coaching Goessel girls basketball as the team prepares for its season opener Friday.

Goessel finished 12-9 last year and 4-4 in the Wheat State League.

“The Lady Bluebirds will be somewhat young this year,” Hoopes said, “but return a lot of girls who played quality minutes last season.”

Returning starters include Cheyenne Sawyer and Braylyn Hoopes.

Cheyenne was the leader scorer last season with great ball handling and a motor that can get down the court very quickly.

Braylyn shot 30% from three-point land last season and has become a reliable shooter, smart player, and leader on and off the court.

Other returning letter winners are Sarah Spurlin, Jaicee Griffin, and Riley Graber. Two players to look out for, Hoopes said, are Aimee Funk and Abbigail Funk.

“The Bluebirds lack in size but will have a lot of speed,” he said.

“We return many young athletic girls who love to compete and win. This team has shown a lot of toughness and will to compete over the summer. They will be a fun group to watch develop over the course of the season,”

The Bluebirds will kick off their season Friday at home against Marion.