Scouting St. Francis Spartans

St. Francis Spartans

Coach Jeff Gerdeman.

Last year 11-15, 7-7, fourth in Suburban Catholic Conference; lost to St. Joseph 56-38 in Class 3A Riverside-Brookfield semifinal.

Top players Megan Bruggeman, sr., G/F; Meghan Harig, sr., F; Fiona McMahon, jr., C; Kelly McShea, jr, G/F; Lauren Piarski, jr., G; Kelly Reinke, jr., G; Katie Slavin, sr., G; Sarah Torres, sr., G.

Scouting report The first-year coach really likes his team. "It's good. "It's exciting," said Gerdeman, who returns to the bench after taking a few years off to spend time with his family. "I love doing it. It's the time commitment. I'm rusty and getting back into the swing of things. But I've got a great group of girls. They're working hard." He doesn't have a lot of size; the taller girls at St. Francis all play volleyball. He also doesn't have Kelly Reinke, the spunky point guard who hopes to return from an off-season ACL injury at midseason. "Obviously, losing Reinke is a blow, but hopefully we can get her back by the end of the year," he said. "If not we're going to prepare for the worst and hope for the best." McShea will make a lot of shots, and McMahon "is going to be a force to reckon with inside," he said. She is the team's only 6-footer. The Spartans will push the ball offensively and press on defense, trying to score in transition. Pisarski, Bruggeman and Harig also will start, but Slavin will get plenty of playing time. "It's really a starting six," Gerdeman said.