By KEVIN HARRIS
Terry White is dealing with something he has rarely had to worry about in his 11 years as New Washington head girls’ basketball coach — inexperience.
This season’s Mustang squad has no seniors and only three players with significant varsity experience.
How quickly the inexperienced troops mature will determine how good this New Washington team will be.
“It’s the least experienced team that I’ve ever had,” White said. “In the drills we have designed in practice, (the Mustangs) are going to have to try to maximize their efforts both mentally and physically. (The New Washington coaches) always tell them that we always try to put them in a position to be successful. A great deal of that is designed drills, but they are ones that obviously have to execute the drills.”
The Mustangs’ two returning starters — juniors Casey Johnson and Katelyn Walker — are expected to step their scoring and leadership duties this season. The 5-foot-8 Johnson and the 5-6 Walker will rotate between point guard and shooting guard.
Of the two, White is looking to Johnson, who has the most varsity experience among his returning letterwinners, to step up the most.
“We’re more concerned about her leadership role,” White said. “Not only do we want her to work to her potential, but for the players that may be out there with her to work to their potential as well.”
Another player who will increase her role with the team is junior Chloe Franklin. The forward will try to fill the void left by last year’s leading scorer, front-line standout Callie Burgin.
Other Mustangs who could see some playing time are junior Billie Broughton, sophomores Emily Baird, Lindsey Mudd, Alex Seals and sisters Kiera and Casie Doherty.
As of now, New Washington plans on keeping its up-tempo, full-court pressing system intact. But White is considering a change in that philosophy due to his team’s youth, which means playing more of a half-court game.
“We’re hoping,” White said about his team remaining a full-court squad. “As a coaching staff, we’re looking from a philosophical standpoint whether we’re going to be able to do that because of the inexperience we have. A lot is going to be told in (this week’s) practices as what we’re going to be able to do. Of course, we try to press quite a bit and be somewhat up-tempo. However, you have to have the numbers and be in awful good shape.”
White thinks the Southern Athletic Conference will be competitive this year. He expects South Central, Henryville and Borden to be among the conference title contenders. The Mustangs shared the SAC championship with the Rebels and Crothersville last season.
“Across the board from a conference standpoint, I think all the teams are going to be quite competitive,” White said. “You’ve got some excellent coaches that are working with their players. It’s going to be a competitive environment.”
The Mustangs have added two Hoosier Hills Conference teams to their already formidable nonconference schedule. They will host Madison on Tuesday, Dec. 8, and entertain New Albany on Thursday, Feb. 4, in the regular-season finale.
The other HHC team on the New Washington slate is Jeffersonville on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Johnson Arena.
Another change on the Mustangs’ schedule is they will face Greater Clark rival Charlestown only once this season, which will be at Bill Dunn Sports Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 25. In past seasons, the Mustangs and Pirates have met twice per year.
