The Greensburg girls’ basketball posted its first losing season last year under the direction of head coach Jason Simpson, who still owns a commanding 75%-win percentage in what is now his ninth season leading the Lady Pirates.
The blue and white were clearly playing their best ball at the end of the season, however, winning six of nine after the new year and falling in overtime to Rushville in the sectional final.
That momentum should carry over well into the 2022-23 calendar, starting with tomorrow night’s season opener at home against Jac-Cen-Del. North Decatur visits Tuesday.
The Pirates are still extremely young, with 6-foot junior post Carlee Adams being the elder stateswoman. She contributed 5.5 points per game as a sophomore and nearly matched that with 5.3 boards a pop.
A quintet of sophomores, getting their baptism under fire last winter, return for the Bucs. Guard Mylie Wilkison’s early availability is uncertain as she nurses an injury. Backcourt mates Emma McQueen, Ava Austin and Kayla Tamm are back, as is 6-1 power forward Leah West.
Wilkison scored at an excellent 15.5 clip and added 3.2 rebounds as a frosh. She sank 31 3-pointers. West went for 12.9 points and 8.5 caroms, adding 1 block per match. Tamm put in 8.1 points per contest and added 61 long balls. McQueen averaged 3.4 rebounds per game a year ago.
A deep and precocious freshman class enters the fray for Simpson: guards Carmen Thackery, Mary Harmon, Aly Powers and Lilly Murray; forward/center Elizabeth Balser; guard/forward Emma Kuntz and center Bailey Clark.
East Central remains the class of the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference, led by Indiana Miss Basketball candidate Josie Trabel. The Pirates and Rushville appear to be the toughest outs beyond that.
Greensburg plays in the Plainfield holiday tourney Dec. 29-30. Sectional is the first week in February.