LEBANON — It’s been a long time since the Lebanon High School varsity girls basketball team posted a winning season.
The current crop of Warriors were in elementary school the last time that Lebanon won a league title. Capturing the program’s first Greater Western Ohio Conference South Division title is a stretch this season, but coach Rob Hodges thinks his squad is poised for big things in his third season at the helm.
“This is the most deep, talented group we’ve had in a long time,” Hodges said. “We have a core of seniors that are basketball savvy ... and love to compete and they’re hungry for success,” Hodges said.
Backcourt
The Warriors will rely on a trio of veteran guards to lead the way this season.
Seniors Maria Rotello, Rachel Debord and Hannah Sparks have a combined 11 seasons of starting experience between them and are three of the team’s top four returning scorers.
“Those three are really strong in transition and are a big reason we want to run a fast-paced, motion offense this year,” Hodges said. The backcourt also boasts some depth as senior Emily Sibcy — another three-year varsity letter-winner — and sophomores Leah Perry, Hanah Rotello, Jordan Sekerak and freshman Sam Showalter will all see the court.
Frontcourt
In the post, the Warriors return a pair of seniors who sat out last season in C.C. Latham and Kelsey Norris.
Junior Desmond Jewett will also be in the rotation along with freshman Gracen Howard.
“We’ve got some size and strength in the front court to go with our fast guards, which is a combination we didn’t have last season,” Hodges said. “We have speed at every position which will allow us to keep the tempo up. We should be fun to watch and it’s going to be a fun style to play.”
Outlook
There is no question the Warriors will be a better team this winter and getting to 10 wins isn’t out of the question. Unfortunately for them, they play in one of the deepest and strongest leagues in Dayton — the GWOC South. Lebanon should do better than the 0-8 league mark it posted last season, but climbing to the top is too tall of an order.
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