By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Following an 8-13 finish to their 2022-23 campaign, the Salina South girl’s basketball team will look to reload and take the next step in 2023-24.
Head coach Justin Ebert reprises his role as the leader of the Lady Cougars for year three of his tenure.
South will have some questions to answer after graduating four of their starters from last season but feel good about a fresh-faced lineup that should look like this come tip-off.
G- Tamia Cheeks (Jr)
G- Brooklyn Jordan (So)
G- Elle Barth (So)
F- Mercedes Tarver (Sr)
F- Paityn Fritz (So)
The Lady Cougars will also look for big minutes off the bench from senior Aunsity McNeal and a pair of sophomores in Brylee Moss and Sophie Daily.
Ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, we had a chance to catch up with Coach Ebert and get his thoughts on this year’s squad.
Q: When you had a chance to look back on it, what were your overall thoughts on last season?
A: In looking back at last year, we felt that we had some significant growth but were disappointed not to take advantage of more opportunities to get some wins on the schedule. We were led by four seniors that we will miss this season, but we were able to give some important playing time to girls who are returning this season.
Q: Entering this year, what would you say are the biggest known strengths of your team?
A: As a whole, we feel that our team is much better on the offensive end than we have been for a couple of seasons. The girls are finding their offensive strengths and seeing the game on the floor much more efficiently.
Q: What are the biggest looming questions or challenges that you’ll look to sort out in these first few weeks?
A: One of the biggest question marks heading into the first game of the year is always how girls are going to handle stepping onto the varsity court to play significant minutes for the first time. We are excited at the depth we have but we’re still trying to figure out where everyone will fit and what roles they will play this season.
Q: What are the biggest goals and expectations for this group heading into the new season?
A: Our girls are focused on continuing to compete in our league and climb the ladder each season. On top of that, taking the next step in the postseason and SIT to playing in the Sub-State and SIT Championship games.
The Lady Cougars open their season on the road with a game at Eisenhower this Friday.