Ed Geyer, the third-year head coach, has stated that the Newport Buffalo girls basketball team will once again win games by relying on hustle and defense. Given their 26% shooting percentage in 2023, the coach clarified that the club focused on strengthening their shooting throughout the offseason. Geyer clarified that we even have a shooting machine that returns balls from the hoop, increasing shooters’ productivity and cutting down on time spent collecting balls.
Newport (AA), coming off a 3-19 season and a second-to-last place finish, will turn to its core seniors, point guard Megan Foltz and forward Gracyn Shutt, to guide a relatively youthful Buffalo team. Last season, Shutt led the club in assists and thefts and was third in the Tri-Valley League in terms of rebounds. Foltz, meanwhile, had a strong overall game with 30 steals, 27 assists, and 82 rebounds.
QUIT IT Gracyn Shutt, Lady Buffalo, during a game last season. (Photo by Craig Baughman)Times of Perry County
Even though practice only began on November 15th, senior Mikayla Deiter is expected to spend a lot of time in the backcourt with junior Jordin Briggs, who is expected to start at guard. Along with a strong core of sophomores, senior Brooke Arnold is also returning.
Before graduating, sophomores Emma Whisler, Peyton Keller-Brandt, and Gabby Benner will attempt to make up for the deaths of Katelyn Sanders, Lillian Plank, and Naia Caudle. As the season goes on, Geyer anticipates that a few freshmen, particularly Jillian Zerbe and Eliza Benner, will contribute. As scrimmages and practice go, Geyer speculated that four more freshmen might complete the roster.
Geyer said, “I am cautiously optimistic (about the upcoming season).” In terms of progressing on the fundamentals, this is the best team I have had in three years. According to the coach, three or four games from the previous season could have gone any way with a few lucky bounces.
On December 5, Newport will host the MiddWest Mustangs to kick off the season. Shortly after, the yearly PECO tournament will take place.
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