Defense, team speed key for Laville Lady Lancers

LAKEVILLE - Defense, team speed, and a third year of experience under head coach Daniel Pleninger look to be strengths as Laville High School gets set for the 2021-22 high school girls basketball season.

“This season we will be a more disciplined team and we will be more aggressive on offense and defense,” said Pleninger. “Speed is a strength for this team and our team defense is a strength. Having players that are already familiar with the offense and defense has been a huge help. We have been able to pick up this year as if last year just ended and it will allow us to be more creative this year.”

A trio of returnees help set the offense. Juniors Lucy Sherk and Heaylyn Kwiatkowski, along with senior Faith Rock will be counted on to lead the way.

Sherk, a forward-center, averaged 9.7 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game. Rock, also a forward-center, added 5.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.3 apg. Kwiatkowski, a guard-forward, chipped in 3.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg a year ago.

“Our intensity and attention to detail in practice will be key to our success this season,” said Pleninger. “We need to continue to reduce our turnovers and accountability in practice will help us make better decisions in the game. All five returning varsity players are key players. All of our incoming players will probably have a varsity role since we have a smaller team this year. All of these players will have an opportunity if they can prove themselves in practice. One thing that these players provide is flexibility.”

When asked about how he felt the HNAC would play during the 2021-22 campaign, Pleninger said,”i believe that the HNAC is one of the most competitive conferences in the state. I think four teams won a sectional last year and North Judson won a regional and Pioneer is a state champion. I think Pioneer is probably the preseason favorite, but Knox will be tough to beat as well.”

Laville is scheduled to open play on Thursday at home against Jimtown.

Returning letterwinners: Senior - Faith Rock, F/C, 5.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.3 apg; Juniors - Lauren Edison, G, 1.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.4 apg, Heaylyn Kwiatkowski, G/F, 3.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, Lucy Sherk, F/C, 9.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.2 apg.; Sophomore - Lily Smith, G, 0.6 ppg, 0.3 rpg, 0.4 apg

Newcomers to watch: Sophomores London Kwiatkowski G/F, Porsha Coffin G; Freshmen - Brooke Edison G/F, Jasmine Foster F, Mikalah Kuskye G, Moriah Richhart F