Travis Schafer will take over the reins as head coach of the Peabody-Burns girls? basketball program this season.
A fourth-grade teacher at Peabody-Burns elementary, Schafer brings prior coaching experience to the position, having coached three years at Western Plains High School as girls? head basketball coach and boys? assistant coach.
Schafer and the Warriors will look to improve upon last year?s 2-19 record with the aid of three returning starters.
Seniors Rylie McDowell (5-4) and Christa Elliott (5-8) return at shooting guard, while junior Katy Benson (5-7) will be back at point guard.
Four additional letter-winners, all sophomores, return: post Anna Lubbers (5-9), point guard/shooting guard Mallory Harris (5-3), post Katie Charles (5-10) and guard Nicole Sanders (5-5).
Three newcomers that will be added to the mix are junior guard Cheyene Shaw (5-2) and sophomore guards Paige Murray (5-4) and Sandy Johnson (5-3).
One of Schafer?s goals for the team is to be competitive in every outing.
?If we can compete, the win-loss column will take care of itself,? he said. ?We play in a very tough league, so we are going to have to be a tough team through the year.
?We are working on the small things that win and lose basketball games.?If we play to the best of our ability, there is no reason we shouldn?t be a tough team to beat this year.?
The Warriors will tip off the season Friday at Chase County. Their home-opener will be Dec. 16 against Burrton.