Scouting Stevenson Patriots

Stevenson Patriots

Head coach Tom Dineen (first season, 30th overall)

2008-09 season 12-17, 3-9 NSC Lake

They're gone Athletic guard Kayla Fisher was an all-conference player and two-year starter. Steady guard Courtney Graber also graduated.

Starting five Junior forward Michelle O'Brien had a breakout season in her second on varsity last winter, leading the Patriots in scoring and rebounding and earning all-area honors. "She's flying under the radar," said Dineen, the hall-of-famer who took a year off from coaching after winning 677 games, including a state title, at Buffalo Grove. "Holy cow, why aren't people recruiting this girl? She's a Division-I player. At 5-11, she runs the floor and has a long wing span. She's going to lead us in scoring, rebounding and steals." Senior center Kelsey Simon is a Division-I player, officially. The 6-foot-2 Simon has signed with Miami (Ohio). A varsity player since her sophomore year, she did not play basketball as a freshman. "Since Day 1, going back to the summer, she's probably our most-improved player," Dineen said. "She's very athletic, and you can't coach 6-2. She's been tough around the basket at both ends of the court." Junior Anna Morrissey is also starting her third season on varsity. Dineen says Morrissey does all the little things, can handle the ball and shoot. The Patriots' point guard is one to watch - freshman Kari Moffat. "She's probably entering (high school) more polished and ready than any point guard I've had at this stage," Dineen said. "And I've had some good ones." Another varsity newcomer, junior McKinley Imus, should start upfront.

Off the bench Junior Ashley Niedermayer earned all-state honors in field hockey this fall and Dineen will try to take advantage of her athleticism. Sophomore Katie Batman will be the first guard coming off the bench, while junior Sydney Davis is a good defender. Sophomore Olivia Whalen was a late-season call-up last winter. Dineen is uncertain how much playing time freshman post Alex Elzinga will get, but he said she's holding her own in practice against the veteran forwards. Paige Ekenberg provides senior leadership.

Dineen says "Early in the summer, I let them play. I wanted to see where they were. I didn't want to shove any system down their throat. I found out very quickly that they're very athletic, they run the floor very well, they're very aggressive and very creative offensively. So that's right up my alley. I didn't have to reinvent the wheel. We're going to do what we've been doing for 29 years (run the floor, shoot and play pressure defense). Plus, they're great kids."