PEABODY — The Peabody girls basketball team will be bringing back eight players from last year’s team this season, and head coach Stan McKeen is excited as tryouts are underway.
Last year, the Tanners only saw three players graduate. While the dominant Amber Kiricoples was one of those graduates, McKeen is still expecting a quality season for his squad.
“In all honesty, the eight kids that are returning (are) a strong nucleus,” said the head coach. “I feel very good about this upcoming year. I think we are going to do very well.”
The head coach also believes that having an experienced roster is huge for the team. Players like senior Emma Bloom, sophomore Abby Bettencourt, junior Isabel Bettencourt and senior Gina Terrazzano are all among those coming back.
“All eight returning players got a lot of playing time (last year),” McKeen added. “Other than Taylor (Bettencourt) getting hurt midway through the season, everybody got a lot of playing time so that experience coming back is going to be huge for us. I think it’s going to make a huge difference against some teams.”
While Kiricoples will no longer be a threat in the paint for the Tanners, McKeen believes that the Tanners will have a three-headed monster in junior Lauryn Mendonca, sophomore Logan Lomasney and senior Janelle Baetzel down low.
“We have great size,” McKeen added. “I think we are excellent in terms of our rebounders.”
McKeen is looking for his team to play an up-tempo style of basketball. Expect the Tanners to bring out the full-court press on the defensive end once the season begins.
“Mainly, it’s going to be an up-tempo game,” said McKeen. “We want to push the ball up the court. We’ve got some size. We’ve got some talented young guards and hopefully we will develop some good outside shooters.”
Peabody’s regular season tips off on Dec. 14 when they head on the road to play Masconomet in its season opener. Prior to that, the Tanners will play a scrimmage in the 28th annual Paul Duchane Girls Basketball Jamboree on Dec. 11, where they will face Malden.
