It’s time to step up: Dynamic duos on the rise

Over the next week we will examine a few potentially dynamic duos that will need to step and lead their team in the upcoming year. This could be due to graduation, transfer or other circumstances that put a pair of players in a situation where they really need to have a good year to push their team/program to a higher level. The first duo is a true duo. They are twins <strong>Emily and Abigail Reinneck </strong>of Lebanon. The Reinneck twins are 5'8 seniors that play the wing. The Greyhounds made a run to the state tourney last year where they finished 3rd. The key losses of the Bass twins and Madison Schoenfeld will put the ownership directly on the shoulders of the Reinneck girls. Emily has been more of a scorer, putting up 12.3 points per game last year, while Abigail has been a defensive stopper. Abigail has shown the ability to score by hitting 39% from behind the 3 point line last year as a big part of her 6 points per game. She will certainly have to continue to expand her offensive game if Coach Cruthis and his team are going to repeat the success they have had over the past few years. Emily was a 53% shooter from 2 point range and a 40% shooter from 3 point range last year so she can hurt you from anywhere. She is certainly capable of scoring above 15 points per game this year and will likely need to do so. Both girls get easy buckets from their outstanding defense as they were both were right at 3 steals per game last year. The full court pressure style that Lebanon has used leads to layups off these steals. Both girls are athletic and can be counted on to rebound from their wing spots. That will be key in replacing the 8 rebounds per game that Schoenfeld gave the team. There will be girls ready to step up and help score, but just as important as their production Emily and Abigail will have to help replace the leadership that Kendra and Krista Bass brought to the team. I think they may not be as vocal but are very capable leaders and the Greyhounds should be fun to watch in 2018-19. Our second duo is from Metro East Lutheran High school. <strong>Destiny Williams and Sami Kasting </strong>will each have to step up their game to replace the loss of Ellen Schulte to a transfer to Edwardsville High School. Ellen was the leading scorer and rebounder last year so her loss will certainly hurt the plans for 2018-19. Williams is a very quick point guard that uses her athletic ability to hound the opposing point guards and also to get in the lane on offense. She can finish in a variety of ways so you have to keep her from getting deep. Destiny averaged 9.3 points per game and if she can improve on her 26% shooting from the 3 point line and 52% free throw shooting she can certainly take a big jump in her scoring average. Sami averaged 10.6 points per game and will be expected to improve that during her senior season. Sami is very fast in a straight line and can beat you down the floor. If she can improve her lateral quickness with the ball and get into the lane more often she would be able to really compliment her outside shot. Kasting hit 36% from behind the 3 point line and had more 3 point field goals than 2 point field goals last year. At 77% she was also an excellent free throw shooter so getting into the lane more often and getting fouled will lead to easy points for Sami. Schulte was a big part of the Knights team over the past two years so WIlliams and Kasting need to really take a leadership role and step up their game if they plan to make a run at a Prarie State conference title. &nbsp;