Preseason Team Preview: Williamstown

In the 2022-2023 season Williamstown posted an impressive record of 19-5 led by interim Head Coach Danny Bunch and assistants Coach Cothern and the beloved Coach Rowsey who coached for over 40 years at the school. I must start off by saying that these coaches did a fantastic job accepting the challenge of coaching with limited personnel last season. They entered the year unranked in the preseason but ended the regular season ranked 3rd in the region. They finished 9-0 in region play and went on to win the LKC and Sectional Championships. Their storybook season came to an end in a regional tournament matchup against Wheeling Central losing 45-38. This season the Lady Jackets are seeking redemption and have high expectations as they have 4 returning starters, a few exciting transfers and a revamped coaching staff which includes: New Head Coach Fred Sauro and assistant coaches Danny Bunch and Larissa Cothern.   They have a strong and skilled post presence as well as a ton of speed on the perimeter. Combine that with experienced coaches and players along with a talented roster and deep rotation Williamstown looks promising this season and the future of their girls basketball program looks very bright.     Potential Starting Lineup:   [player_tooltip player_id='342218' first='Faith' last='Pickens']-6'3-JR-Center/Forward-Considered to be the top center in her class. Finished the season averaging a double-double scoring 13.5 points per game along with 11.2 rebounds. Pickens game has improved significantly since playing as a freshman for the Lady Jackets. She is very fundamentally sound and her ability to protect the rim makes her an intimidator on defense. Her high volume scoring and rebounding ability will also be vital to the Lady Jackets success this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='570340' first='Arissa' last='Burt']-6'0-SO-Forward-Relentless on the boards. The defintion of a "glass cleaner". Burt averaged 8.1 points and 8 rebounds a game last season. Has put a lot of time in the weight room. She looks much stronger and skills have vastly improved since last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='877486' first='Riley' last='Landis']-5'10-SR-Wing-Will provide much needed senior leadership this season. She averaged 14.1 points and just about 5 rebounds per game last season. Landis is a great spot-up shooter that can attack the basket as well. She is also a solid rebounder and lockdown defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='570339' first='Anna' last='Cosner']-5'3-SO-Guard-Averaged 6.2 points a game and 2.5 assists. Cosner is a fierce-competitor and a tenacious on-ball defender that is use to taking on the toughest defensive assignment each game. Her defensive and aggressiveness on offense will be key this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='728692' first='Quinn' last='Bunch']-5'1-FR-Guard-Will be her first year playing Varsity in the regular season. She is an excellent on-ball defender and a terrific ball handler, that can also hit the three ball. Bunch has great upside and will be expected to run the show at the point guard spot.     Key Reserves:   Akhia Miller-5'11-SR-Forward-(Transfer)-Will see significant time this season. She is a versatile post player, that can score from the low block and the perimeter. Miller also runs the floor very well and defends at a high level.   Addie Kerby-5'6-SO-Guard-Kerby played a pivotal role last season coming off the bench as the sixth man. She averaged 2.3 points per game and does whatever it takes for her team to win.   Annabelle Haught-5'8-SR-Guard-(Transfer)-Haught is a multi-sport athlete that has all the physical tools and loves to compete. She will be a key contributor for the Lady Jackets this season.   Benan "B" Aydin-5'3-JR-Guard-Foriegn exchange student who's game is transitioning very well. Played while living in Turkey. Aydin plays with intensity and competes hard on both ends of the court. She is also a multi-level scorer with good ball handling ability.   [player_tooltip player_id='840060' first='Gracie' last='Montgomery']-5'10-FR-Wing-Has made major improvements since middle school. Hit a recent growth spurt. Montgomery's size and length on defense combined with her versatility and skill on offense will make her hard to contain.   [player_tooltip player_id='840062' first='Kyndra' last='Dalrymple']-6'1-FR-Forward/Center-Dalrymple is a strong and physical post player that has a knack for rebounding the ball. Her effort on the boards is what makes her so special. She provides second chance scoring opportunities and does a good job drawing fouls off of put-backs.   [player_tooltip player_id='840064' first='Callie' last='Smith']-5'4-FR-Guard-(Transfer)-Smith is a high-energy guard that gives it her all when she is on the floor. She is also very coachable and a does a good job getting others involved. She will have a big impact going forward.   [player_tooltip player_id='840066' first='Makaela' last='Bandy']-5'3-FR-Guard-Bandy will get her first taste of Varsity this year. She has put in a lot of work in the off-season and looks prepared for what's to come. Bandy plays with poise, has tremendous court-vision, a superb ball handler and is a scrappy defender as well.

In the 2022-2023 season Williamstown posted an impressive record of 19-5 led by interim Head Coach Danny Bunch and assistants Coach Cothern and the beloved Coach Rowsey who coached for over 40 years at the school. I must start off by saying that these coaches did a fantastic job accepting the challenge of coaching with limited personnel last season. They entered the year unranked in the preseason but ended the regular season ranked 3rd in the region. They finished 9-0 in region play and went on to win the LKC and Sectional Championships. Their storybook season came to an end in a regional tournament matchup against Wheeling Central losing 45-38.
This season the Lady Jackets are seeking redemption and have high expectations as they have 4 returning starters, a few exciting transfers and a revamped coaching staff which includes: New Head Coach Fred Sauro and assistant coaches Danny Bunch and Larissa Cothern.