Bucyrus girls basketball looks to build off foundation laid a year ago
BUCYRUS - Last season was a step in the right direction for the program under new head coach Brian Seybert.
Four wins in 2021-22 matched the previous three seasons win total combined. And though Bucyrus still was winless in league play, a solid foundation was laid for this year and the future.
Three have graduated — Kelsie Grady, Claire Schifer, Karmyn Blizzard — and Emma Tyrrell opted not to come out this season. But back are a trio of experienced starters, seven letter winners, along with the addition of two talented new faces that have already made their presence felt within the squad.
"A bunch of experience is returning, plus two newcomers help create a new team dynamic," Seybert said.
Senior power forward Maddie Kimmel (HM Northern 10) is back as the leading returning scorer having averaged 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.3 assists as a junior, she has had a role on the team since freshman year. Classmate Adacyn Rister at center averaged 3.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals making huge strides as last season progressed. Junior Addison Ricker (2.2 points, 2.0 rebounds) is a two-year letterwinner at small forward, sophomore Marissa Middleton (2.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals) will run the point and junior Brook Dennison — transfer from Northmor — will lineup at shooting guard having averaged 7.0 points, 2.0 assists and 3.0 steals last season with the Knights.
"She adds ball handling ability and is a deep threat at anytime," Seybert said of Dennison.
Coming off the bench will be three-year letterwinner Leah Sheets, junior Kendra Blizzard (3.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals), junior Addison Kemery who transferred in from Colonel Crawford and sophomore Kimmy Burling.
"Our biggest X-factor will be valuing offensive possessions by limiting our turnovers," Seybert said. "Defensively we'll need to create turnovers and get some run-outs for easy buckets."
As always, the Northern 10 is expected to be a tough league with the Buckeye Central the defending champions.
"The N10 looks considerably balanced this year, but in order to win a league title you'll have to go through Buckeye Central," Seybert said. "We have the ability to compete for a chance to finish in the upper half of the league.
"Our first goal is to compete at a high level every game in order to give ourselves an opportunity at a winning record by the end of the season. Second goal is to end our N10 losing streak."
Bucyrus opened the season over the weekend picking up road wins over Vanlue 52-48 and Elgin 52-29 which is the program's first 2-0 start since 2017-18 when the Lady Red opened 5-0. The team is back in action on Nov. 28th in the home opener against Ridgedale.
419-617-6018
Twitter: @Zachary_Holden
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Bucyrus girls building off last year's foundation
