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RANDOLPH — Randolph head girls’ basketball coach Marcus Papenhausen welcomed eight girls with experience and four freshmen to this year’s team hoping to improve.
“We will definitely be looking to be more competitive,” said Papenhausen. “The girls have been working hard in practice and trying to learn what the coaching staff is trying to install with the girls.
“We will be looking to get out and run with a fast paced offense while taking care of the ball. Defensively we are trying to create more pressure and use our strengths to our advantage trying to force more turnovers.”
Abbey Backer, a sophomore, returns after receiving Lewis & Clark Conference mention last season by the conference coaches.
“Abbey Backer had a strong freshman season and we will look for even better things her sophomore year,” her coach said.
Lily Kuchta and Delayne Thelen, a pair of juniors, also return.
“Lily and Delayne will need to provide the help in the backcourt and be strong handling the ball,” said Papenhausen.
Three Lady Cardinals, a pair of juniors and a sophomore, return inside and could be the nucleus of success on the court.
“We have three girls capable of having big nights inside,” the coach said. “Braylee Kelley, Sydney Robinson and Kynlee Winkelbauer have been working hard and seem ready to go.”
Sophomores Jaden Dickes and Emily Gilliland also are looking for time on the court this winter.
“Jaden Dickes will be a bench player who will come in and provide a spark to us,” said Papenhausen.”
Three freshmen and a sophomore will look to help after not competing on the varsity level last season.
Freshmen Rylee Reimers, Aniston Schmidt and Olivia Rayford will join sophomore Bria Reimers searching for playing time.
The Lady Redbirds are set to open the season against Tri County Northeast Dec. 4 at home before a trip to Chambers to take on Chambers/Wheeler Central on Dec. 5.
December 9 will find Randolph back at home to take on Osmond before hitting the road for a game with Ponca on Dec. 11 and another road contest, this one with Lyons-Decatur Northeast, slated for Dec. 12.
A home date with Creighton and a trip to Humphrey to take on Archangels Catholic will close out the pre-holiday portion of the schedule.
The Lady Cards will ring in the New Year at home on Jan. 2 when they will host Hartington- Newcastle then away dates at Walthill Winside, then back-to-back home games with Niobrara and Homer and another home contest with Wausa will push the schedule to the middle of January.
Scheduled games with Bloomfield, Winnebago and Wynot will get Randolph to the Lewis & Clark Conference Tournament before the Lady Cards finish the regular season with a game in Elgin to take on Elgin Public/Pope John and a home contest with Stuart on Feb. 13.
“With this group of girls I think we can put together a season Randolph can be proud of and continue building into the future,” Papenhausen said.
