Youth movement expected to continue forward trend for Eagles

Image
  • Youth movement expected to continue forward trend for Eagles
    Youth movement expected to continue forward trend for Eagles
Body

Last year’s Clifton-Clyde team finished with their second most wins in school history. They were 19-6 overall and 9-3 in the league, being crowned sub-state runners-up.

Eighth year coach Kieran Wurtz wants to continue the winning tradition, even with several new faces this year, after seeing key seniors Jaysie Bowser, Adria Girard and Payton Girard (second team all-TVL) lost to graduation. He said the team will need players to step up to new roles and they will rely on some underclassmen to step in and play a lot of varsity minutes.

The key returner will be the Eagles’ all-state center Mallory Callihan, who missed the fall sports season with an ACL injury. She hopes to return after the Christmas break.

“She had a tremendous season for us last year, leading the team in points and rebounds,” said Wurtz. “She will be one of our two seniors leaders and has started almost every game of her high school career. If she can get back to close to 100 percent, it will greatly impact the type of season we are able to have.” She averaged 15 points and nine rebounds per game.

Fellow senior Julia Douglas will bring experience, shooting and defense, averaging 2.2 steals per game. She will fill the shoes of a fouryear starter.

“If we can limit turnovers at this position, we may be able to compete with most schools in our league,” said Wurtz.

Karsyn Sikes and Emma Nobert, both juniors, have a couple years of varsity experience and hope to help with shooting. Sikes returns as the team’s best outside shooter, according to Wurtz, and another year of gaining strength will help her.

Underclassmen Haley Thrasher and Halle Benne will bring size to the forward/center position, while Shea Wurtz, a freshman who led the Blue Valley League in scoring last year and has played a lot of competitive summer ball, will take the floor as a shooting forward. Wurtz said this will be the deepest part of their roster.

“We will not return any experience to speak of, but will have multiple girls who are 5-7 to 5-9 who have good size and strength,” said Wurtz. “These girls will be called upon to do the dirty work such as rebounding, playing defense and being physical.” This makeup has been a successful formula for past Clifton-Clyde teams.

“Our varsity outlook will depend on many things coming together and how well kids adapt to their new roles,” said Wurtz.