Scouting Wheeling girls basketball

Wheeling

Coach: Julissa Hernandez (second year)

Last year: 4-26, 1-9

Graduated players: Kelsey Maczko, Kayla Jordan, Alyson Fallon, Ellie Grinter

Returning players: Dee Hanna (5-4 Jr. G), Nia Evans (5-2 Sr. G), Jessi Zuba (5-10 Jr. F), Cindy Salgado (5-1 Sr. G), Kellie Kuzmanic (5-10 Sr. G-F), Leah Malsom (6-0 Sr. F), Brie Majkowski (5-9 Jr. F).

Newcomers: Kaitlyn DeBusk (5-1 Jr. G), Hannah Dobrowski (5-8 Fr. G), Deanna Kuzmanic (5-8 Fr. G), Hailey Dammeier (5-7 Fr. G), Elizabeth Smith (5-7 So. G)

Season Outlook: All-area basketball and volleyball standout Kellie Kuzmanic, Majkowski and Malsom will serve as captaians for coach Julissa Hernandez' second team at Wheeling. Those three led the team this summer and will continue in that capacity. "Their leadership and hard work have paved the way for the rest of our girls to follow," Hernandez said. Malsom, Majkowski, Zuba and Smith will look to score this season while Hanna works in the backcourt. Freshman Deanna Kuzmanic will take over the point for her sister Kellie, who will move to a post position. Deanna Kuzmanic, Dobrowski and Dammeier have been teammates since their feeder days and are all expected to contribute this season. "This team has already learned where perseverance and determination can and will take them," Hernandez said. "We will just have to see how far. Last year, my coaches and I worked hard on implementing my philosophies within the program and, needless to say, change is never easy. However, I think this year our hard work will definitely show on and off the court."