Prep Girls Hoops: Harrisburg's experience should be x-factor
In a perfect world, Jake Stewart would rather not have to jump up a class and compete in 3A in postseason basketball.
The world isn't perfect, Stewart knows that and since the Harrisburg High School head girls' basketball coach has no other choice than to compete in 3A, this is the team he wants to do it with.
After losing just one player to graduation in Whitney Younger and finishing one game above .500 at 16-17, Stewart and the Bulldogs return the core of last year's roster where experience will be the x-factor for Harrisburg.
With that experience comes high expectations from Stewart.
"We have pretty good size expectations this year with four returning starters Matty Hawkins, Alexa Burtis, Kelsey Hobbs, Lilee Robinson and Hanna Bartok," Stewart said. "So whenever you return four starters, especially seniors, your expectations are going to be high."
Hobbs is Harrisburg's returning leading scorer at 15 points per game last year. Burtis isn't too far behind at 13 ppg. After that, Hawkins averaged 6, while Robinson and Bartok each averaged 3.
There's no denying that having to move up a class doesn't sit well with Stewart and company, but takes solace in having this class to make the jump.
"Yeah, I mean that's a huge concern. If we were 2A this year, we feel like we could make a run. Going to 3A we feel we can get out of the regional and then after that, it's going to be tough to get to the sectional, but if this was a year to change and go to 3A, I'd want this team to be my first team to have that challenge."
Part of this teams strong suit's will be its athleticsm, to the point where Stewart looks to spread the floor with a plethora of shooters.
"I think our athleticism is going to be really good, those four seniors they know how to play, they know how to move the ball, run, and we're going to be really good shooters this year," Stewart said. "We have two sophomores that can come off the bench and shoot the ball so that will help our seniors out. Athleticism and the ability to score the ball will be really good."
The return of his seniors is something Stewart says will make a huge difference, especially in terms of practice.
"Whenever you have kids that have been here for three years, especially four kids that started, you start off so well," Stewart said. "With that core coming back they know what's expected and have 16-15 record last year they're hungry to get over 20 this year."
In an effort to better prepare themselves for the postseason, Stewart changed his schedule up a little bit, getting in the Herrin Holiday Tournament, while still competing in a very tough SIRR Ohio Division Conference.
Herrin and West Frankfort both return four starters from last year's team, while Benton and Murphysboro return three starters and Massac County return two starters.
"We've left Fairfield's tournament, which is a 2A tournament, and we're going to Herrin this year. I thought that would help us out a little bit. And we're still playing a Kentucky team (Union County), who's school would be a 3A here in Illinois, without having much time to change your whole schedule, I thought we did a pretty good job with adding Herrin and going back to Kentucky."
Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.
HARRISBURG BASKETBALL
<p><strong>Coach:</strong> Jake Stewart<br /><strong>Last Year:</strong> 16-15<br /><strong>Who’s Gone:</strong> Whitney Younger (6 ppg), Audree Morecraft.<br /><strong>Who’s Back:</strong> Lilee Robinson (3 ppg), Hannah Bartok (3 ppg), Alexa Burtis (13 ppg), Kelsey Hobbs (15 ppg), Matty Hawkins (6 ppg).<br /><strong>Stat Opponents Should Fear:</strong> Speed Kills - Stewart will be able to spread the floor with a very athletic lineup that includes lots of shooters that will want to get out in transition.<br /><strong>Stat That Needs Improvement:</strong> Cloudy Glass - With not a lot of height, rebounding will be a concern for Stewart.<br /><strong>Team To Beat in Conference:</strong> Pick Your Poison - Herrin and West Frankfort return four starters, while Benton and Murphysboro return three and Massac County return two.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Roster</strong></span></p>
<p>No. Name Class Height<br />1 Hannah Bartok Sr. 5-5<br />2 Brooke Meylor Fr. 5-4<br />3 Alexa Burtis Sr. 5-8<br />4 Shianne Barker Fr. 5-6<br />5 Matty Hawkins So. 6-1<br />10 Alli Ferrell Fr. 5-3<br />12 Lotte Miller So. 5-5<br />14 Madeline Rider Fr. 5-7<br />21 Kelsey Hobbs Sr. 5-9<br />22 Karsyn Davis Fr. 5-9<br />23 Toni Crisp Jr. 5-7<br />24 Lilee Robinson Sr. 5-5<br />30 Jenny Buchanan So. 5-7</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Schedule</span></strong></p>
<p>Nov. 18 GALATIA 6<br />Nov. 23 WEST FRANKFORT 7:30<br />Nov. 25 CARMI-WHITE COUNTY 7:30<br />Nov. 27 ANNA-JONESBORO 7:30<br />Nov. 28 ELDORADO 7:30 <br />Dec. 1 at West Frankfort 6:15<br />Dec. 2 at Galatia 6 <br />Dec. 3 at Du Quoin 6:15 <br />Dec. 5 at Union Co, Ky. 6<br />Dec. 10 MURPHYSBORO 6:15<br />Dec. 15 at Benton 6:15 <br />Dec. 17 at Massac County 6:15<br />Dec. 26-30 at Herrin Holiday Tourn TBA<br />Jan. 7 GALLATIN COUNTY 6<br />Jan. 13 MERIDIAN 6:30<br />Jan. 16-23 at Eldorado Holiday Tourn TBA<br />Jan. 26 MASSAC COUNTY 6:15 <br />Jan. 28 BENTON 6:15<br />Feb. 1 at Murphysboro 6:15 <br />Feb. 4 HERRIN 6:15<br />Feb. 9 WEST FRANKFORT 6:15</p>