Northwest girls look to build on last season’s 19-5 final record
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson – If last year was good, well, this season could be one to remember.
When the Northwest girls basketball team takes the floor for the first time next Tuesday at Grass Lake, the squad will be doing so with an impressive resume to fall back on, and some very lofty goals to live up to.
“Our approach every year is to compete for championships, whether that’s in the conference or the district and beyond,” coach Ryan Carroll said simply. “With that said, I think we’ve set the bar pretty high and we’re taking a head-on approach to that goal all season.”
The Mounties went 19-5 last winter, reaching the regional round for the second time in three years. Their 10-2 mark in the Interstate 8 Conference was second only to undefeated (12-0) Marshall High.
But the lofty goals — winning the conference, district and beyond — aren’t simply based on what was done last winter, but who did it.
Almost an entire group that’s back in the mix.
We brought back seven girls from last year’s team, and all five starters,” Carroll said simply.
The group is led by senior Lexie Kohn, who averaged more than 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game as a junior.
She anchored the offense, but Carroll said defense is where the Mounties can, and should, thrive.
“We have enough versatility on the offensive side of things to make things happen and score some points,” Carroll explained. “But we make a great commitment on the defensive end of the floor. Our goal is to hold teams under 30 points, and we did that a number of time last year. … I’ll never stop challenging the kids on the defensive side of the floor. It’s a mentality I grew up on, something I really believe in.”
Carroll said he’s totally on board with the goals his team has set and the expectation each and every girl has for this season.
Mainly because of his belief in how good they can be.
“We could win every game on our schedule,” he said. “If there’s a night we don’t show up, there are a lot of games we could lose as well. But we expect to compete every night, compete for a league title and then compete for a district title. This is a team that, if it shows up and plays, can play with anyone in the state.”
The proof will ultimately play itself out, and the first test comes Tuesday night at Grass Lake.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him atmjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.