Lady Cats open season with positive attitude

Veteran coach Chad Miller takes over for the Banner County Lady Wildcats this season with Jessica Harvie assisting. The Lady Cats ended the 2015 season seventh in MAC conference and fifth in the district with a 2-6 district finish.

The Banner County team lacks in size but returns several key players and adds promising newcomers to the court. Miller expects each athlete to make a difference and will count on the trademark positive attitude and consistent teamwork.

"Our strength is team unity and having each other's back, especially when times get tough," he said. "It shows great strength and character to get right back up after getting knocked down and we have ladies on this team that embody that quality for the betterment of our team."

Those leaders include junior MaKenna Dahlgrin, a 5'9" forward/center. Dahlgrin led the Lady Cats last season with 9.1 points per game on average. She also grabbed 10.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals on average with 1.3 blocks.

Courtney Knisley added an average of 4.1 points to the Banner County board and snatched 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game, on average. Knisley, a quick and 5'6" guard/forward is joined by senior guard Savannah Jordan.

Jordan is credited with 1.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game last season. At just 5'5", Jordan plays bigger than she stands and her agility on the court is impressive.

Junior Emily Singleton plays an aggressive guard/forward and is returning this season after 3.1 points per game on average in her sophomore year. Singleton, 5'6", grabbed an average of two rebounds per game last year and one steal.

Jayden Cross, a 5'6" sophomore, saw plenty of court time her freshmen year and was credited with 2.6 points per game and two rebounds.

Bailee Underhill rounds out the starting line-up for the Lady Cats. Underhill is a skilled player and positive leader, on and off the court, as Miller expects from all of his returning athletes.

"Positive and humble attitudes that others want to emulate through word and deeds," Miller said. "I expect my leaders to know their strengths and weaknesses while working hard to overcome difficult obstacles and challenges on their way to achieving their goals and mission of success."

Miller has high expectations for the newcomers as well. Freshmen Jessica Williams, Rylie Mason, Courtney Rundell and Nevaeh William will be great assets to the team.

"Every teammate, whether a newcomer or returnee, will have an impact on our season," he said. "Everyone has a role and the harder each player works to overcome individual challenges as well as push each other, the stronger our team will become."

Challenges for the Banner County ladies are in their mental game, according to Miller, who said the team needs to create an environment that is unafraid to fail or break down barriers.

"We need to realize that our efforts and sacrifices will always trump stagnation no matter the result," Miller said. "Once we realize that we are only limited by our own preconceived notions we can move forward to accomplishing things that we never thought possible."

That mental game is not the biggest challenge that Miller sees, as the Lady Cats must adapt to a new coach.

"One of the biggest challenges this year will be getting used to a new coach and all the nuances that come with that," he said. "Understanding our roles and expectations throughout the season can also be a challenge for us, as well as, knowing how each one of us can improve ourselves for the betterment of our whole team."

Offensively and defensively the Banner County ladies continue working hard in practice, according to Miller and they are showing continual improvement.

"Offensively, I see our team continually working hard on improving our skill sets in all areas. We need to realize that not all of us need to be shooters to be effective on offense and that there are other skills that are just as important on the offensive end," he said. "I see a group of ladies that will be working hard to improve communication on the defensive side so that we can work in a more cohesive manner. It is essential that we work as a unit and not as individuals."

Miller, too, approaches the coming season with a positive attitude and shared some final thoughts, "I look forward to being a part of this year's ladies basketball team here in Banner County and want to thank all of the school staff, parents, and community members for all their support throughout the season. Our team appreciates everyone involved in making our season a successful one and can't wait to see all of your support in the stands. One of our biggest goals will be to represent our community with class and dignity all the while showing a positive attitude that we all can be proud of. GO WILDCATS!!"