sticky Posted November 6, 2006 Report Posted November 6, 2006 With 4 new starters, RSS to be inexperienced By Michael Pineda Baytown Sun Published November 5, 2006 High school and college coaches approach their jobs in two ways. If the roster is full of seniors more time is spent coaching rather than teaching. But if the roster is young and inexperienced, there is more time spent on the finer points of the game. This year Sterling head coach Laurie Welch is a teacher. The Lady Rangers will be starting from scratch this season as they attempt to replace four senior starters on a team that won over 20 games and advanced to bi-district. “It’s going to take some time because we are inexperienced and that can hurt us early on,†Welch said. “I feel this group will come together but the early part of the schedule will be challenging. “We have some hard working kids. We are going to improve and I can’t ask for anymore that that.†The Lady Rangers open up Tuesday at home against Clear Brook. When Sterling hits the floor for the tip-off junior Audri Garcia will be the only one with starting experience. Last season Garcia averaged 10 points a game for Sterling as the main threat in the paint. Although she had trouble matching up with height Garcia used quickness to more than hold her own. Welch will need the 5’9 post to exceed those numbers this season. “She is going to have to do a lot more for us,†Welch said. “She is going to have to step up on the floor and off the floor. She is one of the hardest workers that we have.†Last season the Lady Rangers excelled in the backcourt and came into contests looking to control the game with an upbeat tempo. While Welch still wants Sterling to win points in transition there will be more of an emphasis in the halfcourt game due to the teams strength in the post. “My style of play is still up tempo,†Welch said. “But in the respect of turning them loose to play, we are not going to be able to play that type of game. Joining Garcia in the pivot will be 5’10 junior Mahogany Terry. Terry saw quality minutes off of the bench last season and will be asked to expand her game. “She’s done everything that I have expected,†Welch said. “She has played a lot this summer and has more confidence. She has stepped into a leader role. She is ready to be a big contributor. “Assistant coach Christie Smith is our post coach and has done a great job of getting the post players really refined.†Sterling will enter the season with two senior starters in Brittany Levier and Lashawndra Green. Levier received limited minutes off of the bench last year in the backcourt. This season she will start at the three spot and will also see a little time at point guard. “She is one that works harder than she is capable of,†Welch said. “There are times that I have to chase her out of the gym. She’s not 100 percent right now but is working towards that. She is a solid player that can take control of the game at times.†Green also saw some time on the varsity last season and will take over at the two spot. Green will be looked upon to present a threat beyond the three point line. “She needs to be our three point threat,†Welch said. “She had a chance to play this summer and she has gotten stronger. We expect her to do well.†Rounding out the starting lineup will be sophomore Deshelle Isaac at point guard. Isaac spent most of last season on the freshman team but did see action on the junior varsity as well. “We are going to have to be patient,†Welch said. “We know that teams are going to press us. Deshelle’s young and will make mistakes but she is the type of player that will compete and will improve.†Welch will look at another sophomore to play a big role in Kayla Cole. Cole is a 5’8 guard who has the ability to play down low as well as on the perimeter and will come in to spell Terry. Junior Candi Allen will come in at the three spot and has the ability to play the four. Juniors Joya Malone and Kayce Harvey will each see time at shooting guard. The Lady Rangers returned to the playoff last season as the number three seed. This year the make-up of the district will be different as annual contenders Spring and Westfield will be replaced by Atascocita and Channelview. The other significant change will be four teams instead of three advances to the playoffs. “Spring and Westfield were in the top three teams over the last two years,†Welch said. “It will be different this year without them. Kingwood is going to come in and compete every night and Humble is competitive every year. “I think we have as good a chance as anybody in the district to place in the top four. I hope to be in the top two although we only have one starter returning.â€
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