Berkshire returns three starters and five others with varsity experience from the squad that finished one game under .500 last winter.
That experience has the Badgers poised to compete for the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division title this season.
“(We’re a) good defensive team with a lot of experience,” said 12th-year head coach Dennis Lory. “Staying healthy will be the key as we are banged up at this point in the season. We expect to compete with the best teams in the league.”
The Badgers open the year without starting point guard Shaelin DeLong, who suffered an ACL injury. Fortunately for the Badgers, they have a capable replacement in sophomore letterman Lexi Boyk, who averaged 2.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game as a freshman.
Seniors Catherine Lillibridge and Rachel Breckenridge round out the three-guard attack.
Lillibridge averaged 2.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game last year while Breckenridge returns from an injury last season. She has earned two varsity letters at Berkshire.
“Catherine provides great defense at the guard position along with the ability to handle the ball,” Lory said. “Rachel provides ball handling and outside shooting plus a great basketball IQ.”
Senior forward Jo Anne Miller and senior center Kayla White fill out Berkshire’s projected starting lineup.
Miller averaged 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest while White, a first team All-CVC player, dropped in 11.4 points and pulled down 7.9 rebounds per game.
“Jo Anne provides inside scoring and rebounding along with excellent defense,” Lory said. “Kayla provides inside and outside scoring along with being an excellent rebounder.”
Senior guard Cheyenne Bosse, junior forward Madison Chapman (3.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and senior forward Lexi Caponi (1.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg) will also contribute for the Badgers, who host Chalker in the season-opener on Saturday.
