The Tecumseh girls’ basketball team will have a nice blend of senior leadership and eager and hungry underclassmen this season, as the Arrows look to open the new season next Tuesday against Vandalia Butler.
“We should have a very good year if we can all stay healthy,” said Tecumseh coach Danielle Thomas. “We have a lot of weapons and senior leadership, and we are fortunate to have two of the best players in the league. Their colleges are chosen so they don’t have to worry about performing for them, they can just go out there and play.”
Thomas hopes the success that the volleyball team had transcends over to the basketball court with some of the same players. She will bring in four quality senior leaders to take control of the reigns for the Arrows, and look to guide them back atop of the Kenton Trail Division.
Lindsey Nartker and Danielle Franklin lead the way for the Arrows, as both have already chosen their college to continue their athletic careers.
Franklin is a 5-foot-6 guard who will play at Alderson-Broaddus, and is a guard who looks to contribute in many ways for the Arrows.
“She has matured and come into herself,” Thomas said “She is playing with a lot of confidence, and has been very consistent lately in all parts of her game. We will get to see different parts of her game this year.”
Nartker also returns in the paint, as the 5-foot-11 senior will play volleyball at Lincoln Memorial next year.
“She is a mismatch nightmare,” Thomas said. “She has gotten better every year. She used to have her left hand as her weakness, but I don’t see that anymore. She is on a mission to finish out strong as a senior.”
Also back is 5-foot-3 guard Caroline Smith, who also is a senior and a strong defensive player.
“She is one of our top defenders, and can also score for us,” Thomas said. “Her shot can be deadly at times, and she also had that senior edge to do well.”
The fourth senior is someone who will be one of the biggest vocal leader of the group, as Rachel League looks to contribute. The 5-foot-8 guard has a nice shot and is a very smart player according to Thomas.
Also looking to add depth and contribute are juniors Allison Berner, Cara Willardson and Hailey Beel.
Berner is a 5-foot-6 guard who can handle the ball and has an explosive step for the Arrows, while Willardson is 5-foot-11 and will be counted on to be a big rebounder and add muscle inside. Beel is a scrappy 5-foot-5 guard who is also athletic for the Arrows.
Kirsten Nartker also returns as a sophomore as the 5-foot-9 returning letterwinner plays solid defense according to Thomas, and is very coachable.
A pair of freshman will also look to contribute and be a major part of the team this year. Corinne Thomas, a 5-foot-8 guard and daughter of coach Thomas will be a guard who can handle the ball and shoot well, with the ability to make the good passes. Presley Griffitts is a 5-foot-10 guard who not only can score, but can rebound and is very athletic.
“This team reminds me of when Bianca (Quisenberry) and Megan (Christmann) were seniors and Lindsey and Danielle were freshman,” coach Thomas said. “We shocked some teams and it opened up some things. It should be easier for our older kids this year with the depth we have with the younger kids.”
Thomas expects Tippecanoe, Kenton Ridge and the Arrows to challenge for the CBC title.
Tecumseh opens the season November 24 hosting Butler, followed by a road game at Shawnee on November 28 and a home game against Indian Lake on December 2.
