Scouting Elgin girls basketball

Elgin Maroons

Coach: Dr. Nick Bumbales (2nd year, 2-26)

Conference: Upstate Eight (River)

2009-10 record: 2-26 (1-9 UEC)

Top returning players: Amanda Haugan (Sr., 5-7 G/F), Jill Howe (Sr., 5-6 G), Kelsey Sabatino (Sr., 5-2 G), Anna Edwards (Sr., 5-10 F/C), Briana Hamilton (Jr., 6-0 F/C)

Top newcomers: Alex Bell (Jr., 5-7 G), Maggie Powers (Fr., 5-4 G), Jessica Ramirez (Fr., 5-8 C)

Season outlook: Maroons coach Bumbales is hoping the second year of his system will yield more positive results than last season, when Elgin’s only 2 wins came against winless Larkin. “We have 10 returning seniors who played in 20 or more games,” Bumbales said. Hamilton (7 ppg, 6 rpg) is the lone returning starter. Elgin will need to take care of the basketball better to win. After averaging 32 turnovers per game last year, the Maroons turned the ball over 33 times in their season opener against Burlington Central. “I do think we’re more fundamentally sound this year,” Bumbales said. “We’re looking forward to competing with perennial state power Geneva, and Batavia, the new members of our conference.”