A new coach and a host of returning varsity players leave the Berkshire girls’ basketball team optimistic about the 2024-2025 season.
The Badgers finished 12-13 overall and 5-5 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division last winter.
“Heading into the season, I feel optimistic about our potential,” said first-year head coach Dave Albert. “With me being a new coach this year, there is a learning curve as we work to learn the new systems both offensively and defensively. The players have been working hard in practice as they have been pushing each other.”
The Badgers will rely on their strong work ethic and communication to set the tone for the season.
They won’t be without challenges.
“Some of the challenges we face this year is we only have six players who have earned varsity letters. Some players who have not earned those letters will have to step up and help contribute,” Albert said. “The returning lettermen have shown good guidance in helping their teammates.
The challenge is also the players learning new systems both offensively and defensively. We hope to overcome these challenges by gradually implementing things. This allows us to evaluate our players and to work around the players and team’s strengths.”
Albert expects to have three seniors and a pair of sophomores in his starting lineup.
Senior guard Meredith Bors, senior forward Olivia Masink, and sophomore guard Ivy Martin are the returning starters.
“Meredith is a leader and works hard, and is usually always one of the first players getting extra work in. We will rely on her leadership to help with her teammates on and off the court,” Albert said. “Olivia is a two-year letterman who is an enthusiastic player with great energy which rubs off on her teammates. Ivy is a player with great basketball knowledge who players look up to. As a young player, she has the ability to take over a game. She is a leader on and off the court.”
Senior guard Jenna Hornak and sophomore forward/guard Blythe Bors round out the projected starting lineup.
“Jenna is a two-year letterman. She is a hard worker, and we will rely on her experience. She is usually one of the first players in the gym getting in extra work,” Albert said. “Blythe is an enthusiastic and athletic player who works hard. She is a quick learner. She will have to help contribute from both the guard and forward spots.”
The Badger depth will come from four seniors, two juniors, two sophomores, and a freshman.
Elise Tiber, a guard, Kylie Gleason, a guard, Breana Dysert, a guard, and Kirsten Shaffer, a forward, are the seniors.
The juniors include guard Julia Young and forward Mallory Durosko.
“Julia will be a significant contributor to the team this year. She sees the court extremely well,” Albert said. “Mallory will be a main contributor to the team. She sees the court well. She picks up on things quickly.”
Guards Hayden Tomsic and Savannah Smith are the sophomores and freshman forward Stella Bateman also will see varsity minutes.
The Badgers have set their goals to finish the season with a record above .500 and that hinges on the team working hard on the defensive end, minimizing turnovers, and being patient on the offensive end of the court.
