GIRLS' BASKETBALL: Greencastle-Antrim brings talent, experience to 2013-14 season

By Ben Destefan
Posted Dec. 5, 2013 @ 11:00 am 
 

GREENCASTLE – Last year was considered part of the rebuilding process.

Now, the Greencastle-Antrim girls’ varsity basketball team returns with a solid foundation in place, and thus, elevated expectations for the upcoming 2013-14 season.

The Blue Devils welcome back all five starters from last year’s squad, which finished 11-11, capped by winning five of their final seven games.

Despite missing the District 3 playoffs, G-A frequently showed glimpses of what the future may hold, translating into promising potential this winter.

“Everybody is back,” third-year head coach Mike Rhine said. “We’re still young, but our core group learned a lot last year. We’ve also added some great talent this year that we’re really excited about.”

Back for her fourth varsity campaign, Chloe Hoover serves as G-A’s lone senior, once again assuming the leadership role on a team loaded with talented underclassmen.

Hoover led the Blue Devils by averaging 13.8 points per game as a junior, recording double figures in 17 of G-A’s 22 games a season ago.

“Chloe is a phenomenal shooter and a great offensive rebounder,” Rhine explained. “With the playmakers she’ll have around her, she’s definitely set up to have another big year.”

Along with Hoover, Hannah Crist, Katie Gelsinger, Jane Herman and Meghan Hirneisen return from last year’s starting lineup, offering a collection of young, yet experienced game-changers.

“We have a lot of talent with a lot of speed,” Rhine said. “I think we can put points on the board and we won’t be overwhelmed. If we can consistently play defense and rebound, I feel like we can win a lot of games.”

Highly regarded for her standout middle school career, freshman Jenay Faulkner is expected to make an immediate impact at the varsity level, as evident by Rhine referring to essentially having six starters on the roster.

“Jenay can do a little bit of everything,” Rhine said of his new addition. “She can shoot, drive, rebound and defend. We can use her in the post or along the perimeter, allowing us to rotate her to pretty much any position.”

The duo of Hannah Zimmerman and Morgan Wagaman are also projected to contribute valuable varsity minutes, providing depth night in and night out.

“We’ve seen a lot of good things in our two scrimmages,” Rhine explained. “We have some depth this year and all of the girls are capable of impacting our success.”

The Blue Devils open the season at home Friday night, taking on Chambersburg in the opening round of the annual Franklin County Tip-Off Tournament, being held in Greencastle this year.