That fits right into the frenzied defensive style they hope will frustrate opponents night after night. Belton, though, doesn’t return a go-to scorer, meaning that defense will have to carry the Lady Tigers until offensive threats emerge as they hope to end a four-year playoff drought.
The Lady Tigers tip-off their season at 7 tonight at Cedar Park Vista Ridge before beginning play in the three-day Dr. Pepper Chisholm Trail Tournament on Thursday.
“We’ve got to get it done on defense because we don’t have the shooters we had last year,” said Aynsley Young, the team’s lone returning starter from last year’s 11-21 team. “Defense has to be the key for us.”
At least early on, the Lady Tigers will rely heavily on a defensive approach they hope will create turnovers and easy baskets.
“These kids want to play it,” coach Randy Bell said. “They’re almost too aggressive sometimes. I’d rather reign them back in then get them to go.”
But Bell and Belton know they can’t lean on the defense alone to keep pace, especially against tough District 12-5A competition.
The Lady Tigers used their scrimmages to try and come up with an offensive system that fits their personnel.
On the eve of the season opener, Bell admits the offense is still a work in progress.
“Offensively, we’ve got to find kids and put them in position to where we feel like they can score,” he said.
More than in past years, Bell expects that his team’s best option to score is getting the ball in the paint, either through penetration or getting the ball to one of four players listed at 5-10 or taller.
Though Young’s primary job last season was to distribute the ball, her role is expected to grow.
“She’s got to develop her game to the point where she’s not just a point guard,” Bell said. “She’s got to go score now.”
Sophomore Meghan Braeuer (5-6), junior Hailey Rosebrock (5-10) and senior Tiffany Dickerson (5-9) are all expected to compete for time alongside Young in the backcourt.
In the frontcourt, the Lady Tigers once again don’t have anyone taller than 5-11. But a lack of height is something Bell has gotten used to working around.
“We haven’t had a 6-footer around here for a while, so you just have to adapt,” Bell said. “Sometimes it’s not how big you are, it’s how well you know the game.”
Belton has four forwards - Emily Bartek (5-11), Brystal Holcombe (5-10), Amber Peters (5-10) and Zia Pete (5-10) - that are all in the running for a starting spot.
Senior KyAnna McIntyre (5-9) can play at guard or forward, Bell said.
That lack of size, though, could play to the Lady Tigers’ advantage.
With usually just one player at the forward position, Young envisions mismatches that Belton’s quicker players have to take advantage of.
“With this group of athletic people we have,” Young said, “I think we can really surprise some people.”
