Scouting Waubonsie Valley Warriors

Waubonsie Valley Warriors

Coach Kim Connell

Last year 18-9, 7-3, third in the Upstate Eight Conference; lost to Hinsdale Central 55-41 in Class 4A Waubonsie Valley sectional semifinal.

Top players Keiera Ray, so., F; Tami Morice, so., G; Tanysha Walls, jr., F; Becky Williford, so., G; Erica Jordan, so., F; Rachael Ross, so., F.

Scouting report Connell, winner of three sectional championships in 12 years at Rockford Boylan, assumes the reins of a Warriors team full of experienced young talent. Ray, Waubonsie's leading scorer and rebounder last year, and Morice, both were thrown into the fire last year during a rash of Warriors injuries. Expect both to build on strong freshman seasons, although Ray is coming off a torn ACL suffered late last season. "She's still not quite 100 percent," Connell said, "but getting stronger every day." Those two are joined by Williford, Jordan and Ross, who moved over from Neuqua Valley when District 204 redrew its boundaries. Like the Waubonsie returners, all three boast a year of varsity experience, Williford as Neuqua's starting point guard. "You can tell they're all basketball players," Connell said of her sophomores. "Now it's a matter of learning my stuff and running it correctly." Expect an up-tempo, pressing style. "You have to have girls that are quick and in shape," Connell said. "We have a little of both."