Team Preview
Written by: Sven Alskog
The Spartans have plenty of talent coming back from a team that found itself in the middle of the pack last season in the 4A Great Basin East Conference.
While five seniors did depart, including a couple starters, Head Coach Terry Merrill has plenty to work with in an effort to improve upon the 9-14 season last year.
Three starters return for Merrill ready to bring Minico its first winning season since the 2011-2012 season.
All of the returning starters are juniors.
Point Guard Macie Merrill is back after leading the team in assists last year, along with wing Adrianna Peralez, and post Shaylee Gilchrist, the leading rebounder last season.
Sophomores Tayla Sayer and Jilian Gilchrist as well as juniors Diana Clapier and Sadie Curiel were mentioned by their coach as key newcomers to watch in the new campaign.
The group appears to be coming together well in preparation for the upcoming season.
“We have 10 girls that are good athletes and they love basketball,” said Merrill. “We won’t be big, but we should be able to run the floor and play great team defense.”
Overall, the coach has high expectations for the group.
“Our collective skill level and basketball IQ is well above average,” he added.
The team on the floor for the Spartans is not the only area where excitement exists in Rupert this winter.
“I also was able to hire another fantastic varsity assistant, Anna Bateman, who just left the college coaching ranks. She will help us raise our level of play,” stated Merrill.
The hope is that under the tutelage of Bateman that the team will show solid improvement as the season goes on.
Expect Minico to emphasize a fast-paced style of play as they try to get out and run when they have the ball.
“This team wants to be a run and gun team and I believe we can,” said Merrill. “Fans will see an unselfish team that plays disciplined defense and quick hitting offense. Our girls like to shoot and they shoot well from a variety of ranges.”
The Spartans did not experience much success in conference play last season, only knocking off Wood River and Canyon Ridge, something which they hope to change this time around. If the offseason is any indicator Minico should be in a much better position to contend as they go forward into the new year.
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