GBK Preview | EHS looks for continued improvement under Artman

Scott Artman enters his fifth season as head girls' basketball coach at Eldorado High School and the program has seen a steady uptick each and every season.

Last year, Artman and the Eagles went 10-17, an improvement from 3-25 a year before.

There are many factors that Artman would attribute to the incline, but more than anything, he expects to see those numbers rise.

"I'm excited about this season," Artman said. "I know we need to get some games under our belt to see how these girls handle some pressure, but I see how well we are doing in practice and I just have a good feeling about this team. They are going to compete and I would be disappointed if this group isn't better than .500. I think they can be even better than that, but it also depends on how they mature during the season.

Artman has one senior, Jade Hise and the 5-foot-7 guard is joined by a junior class that includes MiKayla Rash, Paige munds and Gabby Frymire. Five sophomores, Lexie Mitchell, Lillian Gangard, Kiandra Hellesvig, Lacey Hobbs and Emma Wargel are joined by three freshmen Alexa Haenel, Lilly Mosby and Emilee Sigler.

Artman is quick to admit that a lot of last season's success was the emergence of Mitchell, a 5-6 guard that averaged 12.5 points per game. Mitchell is currently out with a foot injury and her timetable is unknown.

"Having Lexie out of the lineup hurts. I know the girls play better around her, but I've also seen a lot of them pick up and play without her. I feel real comfortable about this bunch. They have turned into a pretty tight-knit group. This team is coming in with a tremendous attitude. They are real positive and receptive to listening to me and working on the weak points to get better."

If there is a deficiency in the early going, Artman said it's defense.

"One thing is for certain, we are going to miss Jade when she graduates," Artman said. "She's been solid all summer and in the early practices. I think she saved her best year for last.

"These kids are a breath of fresh air. I have competitors and that's what they have to be. We'll get the kinks worked out. The girls come in, work hard and want to win and that's all I care about."

Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.