Coach Speak: Lebanon Devilettes Preview with Coach Barrett

With a 6’3 frame, Bake possesses game-changing size in the middle, and is a defensive anchor for Barrett’s scheme.  After battling injuries for much of last season, Baker is back fully healthy.  Defensively, she’s a game changer from the tip.  It’s not just her ability to block shots, but she alters shot, and simply deters them from occurring.  She owns the paint, and takes pride on this side of the ball.  She’s also a high level rebounder, and fast break starter.

Offensively, she’s developed a nice baby hook that simply cannot be stopped because of her length.  She apt at burying defenders deep and simply scoring over them.

Hastings (Jr) is a 5’8 combo guard that led the team in scoring last year, and is returning looking to make another leap as a playmaker.  She’s a versatile score that can either attack the rim with a variety of finishes, and is a consistent 3pt shooter.  Very refined scorer, and knows how to use athleticism to make it all go.

She uses that same athleticism on the defensive end to change the game.  She harasses the basketball as an on the ball defender, and has a gritty demeanor on the floor.  What I really love is that she is that she takes pride in excelling on both sides of the ball.  When your leading scorer is also bought in defensively, you have something special.

Dowell (JR) is a 5’9 PF that is perhaps the most improved player on the roster according to Coach Barrett.  Everything she does, she does is with some “dog” in her.  She truly loves doing the dirty work.  Whether it’s setting screens, diving on the floor, or boxing out–she does it all with an edge.  Dowell plays with the type of intensity that is contagious throughout a roster.

Offensively, she’s added a consistent jumper out to 15ft, can face up and attack the rim, and is even beginning to take and make 3s.  Look for a potential breakout year from Dowell.

Spencer (Sophomore) is a 5’8 combo guard who was last year’s District Freshman of the Year.  While she’s very capable of running the team’s offense, plays with a high IQ, and is really savvy with the basketball, she also able to score it herself when she needs to.  She’s very smart and knows when to pick her spots, but she was 2nd on the team in scoring while letting scoring opportunities come to her in the flow of the offense.  She’s a very well rounded player with a big season ahead.

EB has one of the highest ceilings of any 2027 in the state due to her combination of size and skill.  She already possesses and incredibly high IQ and could earn a big-time role on this team because she’s so adapt at playing off others.  I expect her to slide into almost any role operating on the perimeter or inside at times.

She should make an immediate impact with her size, IQ, and ability to score the ball from the perimeter or in the post.  She can score coming off screens, attacking the rim creating for herself, and is a really good playmaker creating for others.  Huge upside

Withrow-Walker is another freshman that will make an immediate impact.  As a 5-6 combo guard with high-level athleticism.  She has the ability to change the game on the defensive end, and when she’s in the game Lebanon can throw out high-end perimeter defenders with a 6’3 anchor protecting the rim.  She helps give this team a really high defensive upside.  Offensively, she plays heady basketball and has a willingness to simply make the “right” play–which is exactly what this team needs in its role players.

I’ve written about Kelley numerous times, so feel free to check out my 2027 player articles (insert: shameless plug).  Kelley is a game changer on the defensive end, plays with an infection enthusiasm and intensity, is a high-level shot blocker, and has a nice scoring package out to 15 ft.  She’s the 3rd freshman in this class for Lebanon that will carve out a role.  All three know who to impact winning and be stars in their respective roles.