Last season, Ben Logan was the basketball team who snuck up on everyone and cruised through the Mad River Division of the CBC with a 9-1 record and a league title. Their one loss came at the hands of the girls from Northwestern.
This year, the Warriors girls’ basketball team wants to be the one to sit atop of the division in February, and with the talent they have back, coach Aaron Stewart feels there is a chance of that happening.
“We have five returning letterwinners and seven seniors, so we should have an experienced team,” Stewart said. “We have some size and I think we are where we need to be.”
Last season, Northwestern finished a disappointing 10-13 overall, but Stewart expects a new look from his team this year, and more success.
“We should be a well-rounded team,” he said. “We have our senior point guard back and we have some size with three 6-footers. Add to that a solid outside shooter and a good move-in from Emmanuel Christian, and we could challenge for the title.”
He also noted a talented group of freshmen should push the older girls, and keep them focused toward their goal.
Three seniors starters return for the Warriors, including 5-9 all-conference player Katelyn Partlow, who averaged 13.5 points and seven rebounds per game last year. Also Korynne Berner returns, as the 5-1 senior is a threat all over the floor. Berner can hit the perimeter shot, or score inside.
“She has been working on her outside shot,” Stewart said, adding that Berner led the CBC in blocked shots last season. “Katelyn does all the dirty work on the floor.”
Senior point guard Cameryn Ciresi returns, as the 5-5 leader put up some solid assist numbers last year.
“She is a hard-nosed player and plays good defense,” Stewart said. “She had over 100 assists which for Northwestern is really good.”
Junior Abby Zerkle is the three-point threat for the Warriors, averaging just under 13 ppg. last season.
“Abby is an outstanding pure shooter, and has worked on her shot,” Stewart said. “She is putting in her extra time, and she just needs to get to the rim more since she is such a good free throw shooter.”
Also sophomore Jenna Robbins is a 6-footer who is back after an injury sidelines her seven games last season.
“The key for us is to stay healthy,” Stewart said.
Other key players for the Warriors include Lindsey Seale (Sr. 5-4), Meredith Johnson (Sr. 5-7), Morgan Crawford (Sr. 5-5), Rachel Martin (Jr. 5-5) and Audrey Nourse (Soph. 5-5, Emmal Christian).
Stewart said Ben Logan will be good again with the return of sophomore Nikki Current, but hopes to be in the mix with them and Urbana for the league title.
