Rosary looks to rebuild

A couple things happen with a senior class like the one Rosary just graduated with four-year varsity standouts Lane Richmond, Katie Petrando and the school’s all-time leading scorer Jordan Rettig.

One, you win a lot of games. Rosary did just that with three straight 20-win campaigns.

And two, there’s often some talented players whose path to playing time is blocked with such an experienced group on the court.

Rosary coach Dave Beebe is about to see how those players perform in a year that promises to bring a new look for the Royals, one without the inside advantage of Rettig and 6-foot-4 Katie Eckberg but perhaps a team that will press more and try to win games with its speed and team play.

“It’s different, it’s going to be a completely different team,” Beebe said. “We can’t do some of the same stuff. But the other side of coin, we can do other things, now we can do more as a team. Not as much individual one-on-one stuff.”

The top returnee for Rosary is senior center Breann Maryanski who averaged 7.4 points and 6.5 rebounds a game last year. Beebe is looking for her to up her scoring average to double figures.

A pair of those seniors who have been learning behind Rettig, Petrando and company should start at forward, Brittney Hutchinson and Rachel Rivera.

In the backcourt, Beebe is turning to senior Brenda Rocha and junior Courtney Bila. Sophomore Mary Wentworth the team’s “best shooter” according to Beebe who has been working with Rosary great Elyse VanBogaert could also start at shooting guard.

“We have to balance things out,” Beebe said of the team’s scoring. “I think Courtney will get her share and Mary will ge her share. We’ll be more balanced.

“(Last year) we ran a little but tried to slow things down to use our size. This year we don’t have bulk. We will pressure more, pick up the pace.”

That quicker pace also will come from Madison Richmond and Taylor Gibson, a pair of sophomore guards who were up on varsity last year as freshman. Karly Tate and Maddie Kombrink will get their chances to contribute.

“We are playing for the future a little too,” Beebe said of the four sophomores and seven juniors on the roster. “I’m not asking the kids for 20 (wins) this year. It’s like we’ll play and see what we can do. The four seniors will have to step up leadership wise. They were stuck behind pretty good players. Hopefully this year we can get through some bumps because the conference will be stacked from top to bottom. There’s no bad teams.”

Quick facts

Coach: Dave Beebe

Last year: 21-7, lost 57-34 to Oswego in Class 3A Yorkville regional championship game.

Players to watch: Breann Maryanski, sr., F; Courtney Bila, jr., G; Rachel Rivera, sr., F