Four starters back for Centre girls

The Centre girls? basketball team will be led by these returning letter-winners and seniors:?back row (from left),?Cacey Simons, Bryanna Svoboda, Amy Makovec, Makenzie Deines; front row, Brenna Shields, Shelby Makovec.With four starters returning from last year?s state-qualifying team, the Centre girls look for another successful year under fifth-year coach Alan Stahlecker.

?With four returning starters from a good season, I expect us to be very competitive in the Wheat State League, in our area, and in (Class) 1A, Division I,? Stahlecker said.

The Cougars went 16-7 last season and won the Burrton sub-state championship with a 60-37 victory over Fairfield.

With the win, the Cougars advanced to the Class 1A, Division I state tournament in Emporia, where Centre fell in the first round to St. John-Hudson, 55-26.

Centre?s four returning starters will anchor the team: seniors Makenzie Deines (5-foot, 10-inch post), Cacey Simons (5-10 wing) and Bryanna Svoboda (5-7 guard) and junior Shelby Makovec (5-5 point guard).

Simons and Makovec earned first-team all-league honors in the Wheat State League last season and received all-state honorable mention from the Topeka Capital-Journal and the Wichita Eagle.

Simons also earned honorable mention on the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Class 1A all-state team, while Makovec was named to the third team.

In addition to the starters, the following players also return: senior Amy Makovec (5-3 guard), junior Brenna Shields (5-6 guard/ forward) and sophomore Ally Basore (5-10 post).

Stahlecker anticipates the Cougars will be strong in scoring and defending this year, but said improved rebounding will be necessary for the team to reach a high level of success.

It also will be important for the team?s younger members to gain experience.

?Our first six players have a lot of great experience; we are a little weak on experience after that,? Stah?lecker said. ?The younger players will need to step up and fill some roles on the team.?

Stahlecker anticipates competitive league play this season.

?I believe the Wheat State League will be very competitive, with almost any team capable of beating any other on a given night,? he said. ?Little River is the defending champion, and they will be tough. I also expect Goessel to be in the mix.

?We should be right there with them.?

The Cougars will open the season at the Herington Preseason Tournament Dec. 10-14.

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