New starters to carry River View
Brandon Hannahs
Coshocton Tribune
WARSAW - Marty Bice has seen his share of challenges during a long coaching career.
This season will be no different, as the Lady Bears will have a new starting five for the veteran coach.
Four of last year's starters graduated from a 16-9 squad, including Jessica Hartsock, a East District first-teamer. She led the team with 13.7 points per game and contributed 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.3 assists per game.
Also lost to graduation were Emma Anderson, Emmie Brenly and Claire Killiany, while senior Kelsey Hartsock, who also received district and league honors, decided to forego her season on the court to focus on track. She averaged 12 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.0 assists last season.
Bice, who enters his fifth season with the Lady Bears, will look to some of last year's bench players to fill out the starting roles.
Juniors Aaliyah Better and Jaylinn Williamson and senior Emily Jaque are likely to be in the mix after playing varsity last season, while senior Aleigha Hardesty, who didn't play last year, has returned and will battle for a starting spot.
Their leadership will also be counted on as River View transitions into the Muskingum Valley League Big School Division. The division features final four qualifier Tri-Valley, regional qualifier Sheridan, district finalist Maysville, as well as Philo and John Glenn.
River View will rely on a group of juniors and sophomores to fill out the lineup and rotation. Juniors Lauren Killiany, Kelsey Bowman and Leya Collins and sophomores Cayla Shrimplin, Prestyn Patterson, Alivia Spaulding, Brie Hagans, Payton Cabe and Lily Yoder are being considered.
Bice knows patience is crucial, as the team develops chemistry and learns to play together.
"We have some inexperience at the varsity level, but this group works hard and plays hard," Bice said. "We'll find contributors, as the season goes along, but it's going to be a challenge coming back into the league. We know it's going to be a slow road, but we'll get there, we just need to gain some experience."
River View is slated to open Friday at Garaway before hosting Ridgewood on Wednesday.
bhannahs@gannett.com
Twitter: @brandonhannahs