Quickness, speed should help Lady Cougars
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
Greg Wyatt, coach of the Centre High School girls' basketball team, is relying on his team's speed and quickness to bring them a winning season.
Wyatt is beginning his 20th year as Lady Cougars' head coach. He is assisted by Phil Peterson, who has been with him for five years.
Of the 11 members on the team, seven are returning letter-winners.
The three seniors are Ashlee Bowman, Kathleen Meek, and Kristin Mueller.
According to Wyatt, Bowman provides leadership and has a solid inside and outside game, Meek provides quickness and is good at outside shooting, and Mueller is a versatile player both inside and out.
Junior Laura Klenda provides height and strength inside, and junior Raschelle Jirak is a strong player both inside and out.
Sophomore Jill Fenske will play the point guard position and provide control of the game. Sophomore Brianne Stahlecker is good at outside scoring.
Wyatt said a few freshmen have a good chance to contribute to the success of the team either by size inside, speed and quickness outside, or as a possible scoring threat or defensive stopper.
He is hoping for a better year after last year's eight wins and 13 losses.
Their first game of the season Dec. 6 will be with their toughest opponent, according to Wyatt. He speculates that Southeast of Saline probably will be ranked in the top five in 3A because all of the team's members are back after a fabulous season last year.
Wyatt thinks White City or Bennington could top the Eisenhower League.
"White City has tasted what a state atmosphere is like from volleyball, so they probably have an edge," he said.
"Our goal is to always finish at the top," he added. " If that isn't the goal then why are we playing?"
