Tigers energized by youth movement
Freshmen bring excitement back to Hollinger’s squad
Many coaches will play freshmen only as a last resort, but St. Agnes head girls basketball coach Jeff Hollinger is an exception.
In fact, Hollinger is counting on ninth-graders to power the program’s resurgence after a rare losing season (15-21) for the Tigers.
“The freshmen aren’t fighting any negative impressions of last season. It’s all brand new to them,” Hollinger said. “They are really getting after it and pushing our seniors to play and work harder.”
The rookies – Madison Lucas, Emily Nelson and twins Katie and Kelly Dickerson – have already made an impression on Hollinger and their teammates.
St. Agnes debuted at No. 20 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ large private school rankings. But, if the youngsters continue to mature, the Tigers will finish much higher.
Hollinger has been pleased with his squad’s start. After knocking off No. 12 Second Baptist 4832 in the season opener, St. Agnes won three of five games at Houston Christian’s Mustang Classic, including a 42-35 victory over Pasadena Memorial in the Silver Bracket consolation finals.
“We went 2-1 in our pool and played Lutheran North tough. They’re No. 2 in the state for small private schools,” Hollinger said. “Obviously, there are some areas where we can get better, but we competed well.”
While the freshmen have generated plenty of attention, St. Agnes’ best player is senior Lauren O’Connell, a 5-foot-9 shooting guard. O’Connell is the leading scorer at 17 points per game, just off last season’s average.
“Lauren is one of our captains,” Hollinger said. “She came to St. Agnes after her freshman and sophomore seasons at Clear Falls and has been a wonderful addition. She’s a pure shooter.”
The only other returning starter is senior Analisa Camacho, a 5-11 power forward. Camacho turned in her finest performance against Pasadena Memorial, racking up 10 points and 11 rebounds.
“Analisa started off and on last season, but she’s really improved,” Hollinger said. “She’s been bothered by shin splints. Hopefully, we can get her healthy soon.”
Senior Beth Hawkins, a 6-0 post, has solidified her spot in the starting five after delivering 13 points and nine boards in her final game at Houston Christian’s tournament.
“The key for Beth is to play consistently,” Hollinger said. “If she can maintain that level, she will really help the team.”
Two of the four freshmen are in the starting line-up. The 5-9 Lucas is the point guard, while the 5-7 Nelson is another shooting guard.
Both have had their moments for the Tigers. Lucas put up 11 points, four assists and four steals against Lutheran North. Nelson tallied a seasonhigh 11 points against Second Baptist and hit two 3-pointers and finished with eight points against Lutheran North.
Next up for St. Agnes is a road game at Northland Christian at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. Spikers fall
St. Agnes returned to the TAPPS State Volleyball Tournament in San Antonio and, for the second year in a row, it was rival Dallas Ursuline that ended the Tigers’ season.
Unfortunately, St. Agnes was a bit shorthanded, with junior middle blocker Mallory May sidelined with a twisted ankle. That cost the Tigers in a bitter 25-9, 25-16, 27-25 defeat to the Bears in the state semifinals.
“Physically and mentally, it really affected us,” said St. Agnes head girls volleyball coach Lynn Kercheval. “We made alternative plans and rotated two or three girls in Mallory’s spot, but it took us too long to get going. We made mistakes we normally don’t make. We only won nine points in the first set, which was probably our lowest all season.”
Kercheval was proud of the way her squad fought, particularly in the third set.
“We lost to Dallas Ursuline in five sets last year. I really thought we had a chance,” Kercheval said. “If we had somehow pulled out the third set, the outcome could have been very different.”
Senior outside hitter Meghan Doyle performed well in the semifinals as well as St. Agnes’ playoff victories against Plano John Paul II and Plano Prestonwood Christian.
Kercheval also praised the play of the Tigers’ two setters, senior Amanda Krahl (Appalachian State University commit) and sophomore Marichael Clarin-Jante, as well as junior right side hitter Raven Sulaimon.
St. Agnes, which finished with a 33-13-1 record, must replace five seniors – Doyle, middle blocker Emma Hansen, right side hitter Lauren Heylmun, Krahl and defensive specialist Lindsey Mouch.
But the Tigers’ have an outstanding nucleus coming back. In addition to Clarin-Jante, May and Sulaimon, St. Agnes will rely on junior defensive specialist Amy Bui and sophomore libero Quinn Biggio, not to mention several promising youngsters off the junior varsity.
“Four of the JV kids made the trip to state, so they got a taste of what the playoffs are all about,” Kercheval said. “We have some talented girls who know how to fight. We’ll be very competitive next season.” Harriers second
St. Agnes finished as runner-up recently at the TAPPS State Cross Country Championships in Waco.
Dallas Ursuline was the Class 5A girls’ state champion with 55 points, followed by the Tigers with 83 and San Antonio Antonian with 84.
Junior Maryella Cohn was the lone St. Agnes runner in the top 10. Cohn came in ninth in the 3,200-meter race in a time of 15:14.60.
Finishing in the top 20 were freshman Lauren Roth (12th, 15:24.40) and junior Claire Scott (17th, 15:40.30).
Also contributing to the Tigers’ tally were sophomores Emily Sullivan (23rd, 15:54.70) and Grace Tagtow (27th, 16:05.70).
Rounding out the team were juniors Amber Boettiger (33rd, 16:17.40) and Emelia Bartusiak (19:16.10).
With six of its top seven runners returning, St. Agnes should be among the state title favorites in 2016.