Scouting Burlington Central girls basketball

Burlington Central Rockets

Coach: Stephanie Smith (2nd year, 17-11)

Conference: Big Northern East

2009-10 record: 17-11 (7-3 BN-East)

Top returning players: Alli Settanni (Sr., 6-2 C/F), Brenda Thasavong (Jr., 6-2 C/F)

Top newcomers: Amanda Ritchie (Jr., 5-6 G), Jessica Laird (Jr., 5-8 G), Sarah Nelson (Jr., 5-10 G), Catherine Kaynish (Jr., 5-8 G), Camille Dela Cruz (So., 5-4 G)

Season outlook: There are big shoes to fill with the graduation of leading scorers Jordan Maisto and Taylor Colby but Smith feels her second Rocket team can be the same type of competitive team her first one at BC was. “We are in a rebuilding year after losing six seniors but that’s no excuse,” said Smith, the Hampshire graduate who is a former Daily Herald All-Area captain and who played at Northern Illinois University. “We will have the same outlook as last season. Hustle and heart set us apart. I see a lot of potential in this team. We may be young but they are a great group of girls who are determined to be the best team they can be.” Settanni (10 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Thasavong (7.6 ppg, 7 rpg) give the Rockets some size in the middle and their guards proved to be defensively quick in the season opener when they had 21 steals against Elgin. “We have a great presence in the paint and we have room for improvement throughout the season with all of our players,” Smith said. “We’re just young and inexperienced at the varsity level right now.”