Sacred Heart girls not satisfied with last year’s record

With three returning starters, the Sacred Heart girls are looking to improve their record. Coach Kyle Duvall is in his third year over the girls basketball team with a 31-41 record. That record is below .500, largely because of last season, in which the Rebels finished 3-29. “Even though we are still young, this team will be competitive,” Duvall said. “We want to get off to a fast start early in the season to try and gain some momentum and, hopefully, keep building off of it. If we continue to get better day by day, hopefully, at the end of the season we reach our goals.” Although the team is young, returning starters should help propel the team to a better season, the coach said. “We have three returning starters from last year’s group in senior forward Emily Tipton, junior guard Jenna Chadek and junior guard Mary Reese Fisher,” Duvall said. “Tipton led the team in rebounding with 7 per game. Chadek was the leading scorer with 14 points per game. Fisher will be asked to bring the ball up the court this year.” Tipton is the best inside player, the coach said. She is a team captain and plays well on both sides of the ball. “She brings a toughness to our group on both sides of the ball and can be a real threat offensively,” Duvall said. “We are counting on her to be our leading rebounder this year, as well as our go-to player for a basket around the rim.” Chadek and sophomore guard Madeline Bottoms are the team’s best outside threats. Duvall heaped praise on Chadek as a team leader. “Jenna led us in scoring a year ago and scored a career-high 39 points in a game,” Duvall said. “Jenna has worked at becoming an all-around better offensive player this offseason, and I look for big things out of her this season.” Bottoms will see an increased role this season, and with that role comes more responsibility. Duvall said she can handle it, even though she’s young. “Bottoms will also be a very important part of our offense this year,” Duvall said. “Madeline can score the basketball from anywhere on the floor. She is a great ball handler and an excellent free-throw shooter. As a sophomore, she is going to be counted on to be a vital part in our offense and defense.” The coach said better scoring, ball movement and cohesiveness from the young team nearly guarantee them a better record this year. The games are still yet to be played, but they have a plan on how to improve. Duvall said his players know what they need to do to win. “This group will exceed the success from last season because they are a very close group. And they are determined to come out on a nightly basis and compete,” Duvall said. “We understand the task at hand and are looking forward to the challenges.” Duvall credits the 1A-5 North as a tough conference and does not take it lightly. He is working to get his team ready for competitive games. The team’s core should respond, he said.