It was inevitable that the Stuarts Draft girls would experience some growing pains this season. After a deep playoff run last year that took the Cougars to the state quarterfinals, some key parts of that team aren't back this season.
Four seniors who led the Cougars to that state tournament are gone, and those weren't the only players not returning. Four underclassmen from last year's team decided not to return this season. The inexperience led Draft to open the season 1-8, with the lone win coming against Riverheads in the second game.
Stuarts Draft's Monique Ayres, who was a big part of last year's state run by the Cougars, is the lone senior on this year's team.(Photo: Mike Tripp/The News Leader)
"People may see it as a rough start," Draft coach James Carter said, "but we have looked at it like building a house. We have one senior and a JV team, basically."
But now, halfway through the season, there is some hope that things are turning around. Draft has won its last two games, beating Luray and Lee High, and both wins were decisive.
"We have had two solid games in a row, and I feel that is due to us growing together as a team and maturing as a basketball team on the floor," Carter said.
Freshman McKinley Fitzgerald is leading the team in scoring this season, but freshman Madi Armentrout, sophomores Maggie Sorrells and Lyndsay Harris, and the team's lone senior, Monique Ayres, are all big contributors.
"Movement is so much better that we are getting easier baskets then we did before Christmas," Carter said. "Our turnovers have drastically dropped."
The coach believes the offense is finally catching up to the defense, which has been solid all season. Also, he thinks the players have gained confidence
"Things that use to bother us and get us down, they just battle through it now," Carter said, "and positive things are happening because of that."
Four seniors who led the Cougars to that state tournament are gone, and those weren't the only players not returning. Four underclassmen from last year's team decided not to return this season. The inexperience led Draft to open the season 1-8, with the lone win coming against Riverheads in the second game.
Stuarts Draft's Monique Ayres, who was a big part of last year's state run by the Cougars, is the lone senior on this year's team.(Photo: Mike Tripp/The News Leader)
"People may see it as a rough start," Draft coach James Carter said, "but we have looked at it like building a house. We have one senior and a JV team, basically."
But now, halfway through the season, there is some hope that things are turning around. Draft has won its last two games, beating Luray and Lee High, and both wins were decisive.
"We have had two solid games in a row, and I feel that is due to us growing together as a team and maturing as a basketball team on the floor," Carter said.
Freshman McKinley Fitzgerald is leading the team in scoring this season, but freshman Madi Armentrout, sophomores Maggie Sorrells and Lyndsay Harris, and the team's lone senior, Monique Ayres, are all big contributors.
"Movement is so much better that we are getting easier baskets then we did before Christmas," Carter said. "Our turnovers have drastically dropped."
The coach believes the offense is finally catching up to the defense, which has been solid all season. Also, he thinks the players have gained confidence
"Things that use to bother us and get us down, they just battle through it now," Carter said, "and positive things are happening because of that."
