BY GREG MENGELT
Clarksville coach Troy Mitchell expects improvement in the 2009-10 season after his Generals went 3-18 last season.
Mitchell would like for his team to improve on its three wins, but he won’t measure the improvement on victories and defeats. Instead, the ninth-year coach is looking for more intangible signs of development.
“We’re a work in progress,” Mitchell said. “I think we’ll definitely win three games and we’re hoping to win three or four more, but that’s not what’s most important.”
The Clarksville players are cautiously optimistic, as well.
“We just have to play hard and put all we have into it,” junior Bronte Miley said. “It doesn’t matter if we win or lose, as long as we play hard and use good team work.”
“We can hope to stay competitive in all our games, limit our turnovers, execute the plays and keep positive attitudes,” sophomore center Kierstin Hall added.
For the first time in years, Clarksville will pose a threat inside, especially Hall returning.
The sophomore averaged ? points and ? rebounds per game last season as a freshman and Mitchell said she has vastly improved since last winter.
I think this is the first time in four or five years that we can score down low,” Mitchell said, adding that 6-foot-3 junior Brittany Windell and 5-10 Silver Creek transfer Shelby Foster will also help out in the middle. “Kiersten Hall has improved considerably from her freshman to sophomore year. She’s worked really hard at improving her inside game. She’s stronger. Last year a lot of trouble finishing last year because she rushed her shot. Right now, she’s squaring and going strong to the basket.”
Hall is one of four starters returning for the Generals. She is joined by Miley, Cassandra Mulford and Ashley Parrish. Mitchell called Mulford an excellent ball handler and, Parrish a standout defender and Miley his floor leader.
“We have four kids back that played considerable varsity experience last year,” Mitchell said. “Those four are all pretty good. I like to go eight deep. Right now, I feel really good about six kids with two to three who need to progress. Early on could be a little rough for us as we start to gain some experience. Our bench isn’t quite ready yet.”
Hall said the key to the 2009-10 Generals improvement isn’t talent.
“I think we’ll be better down low and have better defense,” Hall said. “I think we’ll be better this year than last year, because people more dedicated, so we have higher expectations for this year.”
