Announcement
Cards players, old and new, are working together
Posted by Michelle Umali on
Dec 03 2011
at
04:00PM PST
in '17 - '18 TWHS Girls Season
By BARRY NIEMEYER
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With three starters returning for 2011-12, Thomas Worthington girls basketball coach Laurie Barr is looking to fill key roles in order to make a title run after a 12-8 season last year and third-place finish (9-5) in the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division.
The Cardinals open the season Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Beechcroft (7:30 p.m.), then face two OCC road games, the first at arch-rival Worthington Kilbourne Dec. 2, and then defending OCC champion Upper Arlington, Dec. 6 (both tip at 7:30 p.m.).
Thomas' home opener is Dec. 9 against Hilliard Davidson (7:30 p.m.).
Barr will rely on the leadership of 5-foot-10 junior guard-forward Frannie Frazier (12.8 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 4.0 assists per game), a first-team All-OCC pick last year, and seniors Whitney Miller (6-0, senior, guard-forward, 8.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg), an honorable mention all-conference selection, and Kim Hoerauf (5-6, senior, guard, 4.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg), to set the tone for what appears to be a challenging first week.
The Cardinals open the season Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Beechcroft (7:30 p.m.), then face two OCC road games, the first at arch-rival Worthington Kilbourne Dec. 2, and then defending OCC champion Upper Arlington, Dec. 6 (both tip at 7:30 p.m.).
Thomas' home opener is Dec. 9 against Hilliard Davidson (7:30 p.m.).
Barr will rely on the leadership of 5-foot-10 junior guard-forward Frannie Frazier (12.8 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 4.0 assists per game), a first-team All-OCC pick last year, and seniors Whitney Miller (6-0, senior, guard-forward, 8.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg), an honorable mention all-conference selection, and Kim Hoerauf (5-6, senior, guard, 4.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg), to set the tone for what appears to be a challenging first week.
Lost to graduation are Natalie Carroll (5-5, G, 12.8 ppg, 2.1 apg.), a three-year starter at guard, who is now playing at Slippery Rock University, Hayley Cross (5-6, G, 3.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg, three letters), and guard China Oliver (5-1, G, 1.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg, two letters).
And, with a week to go until the opener, Barr said the team's new players are fitting in nicely.
"The players are bonding as a team," she said. "We have seven new players this year, but our returning players are doing a good job of being leaders.
"Our players are working together to help each other."
Also back this year are senior Erica Morris (5-9, guard-forward, 4.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and junior Mariana Bonilla (5-11, guard-forward, 1.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg).
"This is a good core from our program that is returning," said Barr. "All players received significant playing time last year and are excited to be leaders this year."
The remaining starters will be determined by their performance in practices, as she charts their workouts and uses that to make her lineup. The roster has yet to be finalized.
"Whoever is getting it done in practice gets the start," said Barr, now in her fourth year with the Cardinals.
Barr characterizes this year's squad as athletic and fast, and they're working on putting things in place to take advantage of the opportunities these qualities create.
"We've been playing well together as a team," she said, "and our communication has improved on the floor. They are utilizing their athleticism and quickness and are distributing the ball well.
"We must continue to fight and push in practice to do the things that make us better."
Barr expects Upper Arlington, the two-time OCC Central defending champion, to be a top contender for league honors again this year, with Dublin Coffman, OCC champion the two seasons prior to UA's back-to-back titles, Hilliard Davidson and the Cards, to be in a fight for supremacy.
The schedule has the Cards on the road, with eight of nine games, before the holiday break, and then enjoying seven of 10 games in the new year at Thomas Worthington.
This might test the Cards' resolve early, but it also might help them in a run at the title when they are playing at home down the stretch.
And, with a week to go until the opener, Barr said the team's new players are fitting in nicely.
"The players are bonding as a team," she said. "We have seven new players this year, but our returning players are doing a good job of being leaders.
"Our players are working together to help each other."
Also back this year are senior Erica Morris (5-9, guard-forward, 4.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and junior Mariana Bonilla (5-11, guard-forward, 1.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg).
"This is a good core from our program that is returning," said Barr. "All players received significant playing time last year and are excited to be leaders this year."
The remaining starters will be determined by their performance in practices, as she charts their workouts and uses that to make her lineup. The roster has yet to be finalized.
"Whoever is getting it done in practice gets the start," said Barr, now in her fourth year with the Cardinals.
Barr characterizes this year's squad as athletic and fast, and they're working on putting things in place to take advantage of the opportunities these qualities create.
"We've been playing well together as a team," she said, "and our communication has improved on the floor. They are utilizing their athleticism and quickness and are distributing the ball well.
"We must continue to fight and push in practice to do the things that make us better."
Barr expects Upper Arlington, the two-time OCC Central defending champion, to be a top contender for league honors again this year, with Dublin Coffman, OCC champion the two seasons prior to UA's back-to-back titles, Hilliard Davidson and the Cards, to be in a fight for supremacy.
The schedule has the Cards on the road, with eight of nine games, before the holiday break, and then enjoying seven of 10 games in the new year at Thomas Worthington.
This might test the Cards' resolve early, but it also might help them in a run at the title when they are playing at home down the stretch.
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