PITSBURG – Having lost just one senior to graduation, the Franklin Monroe girls basketball team returns a strong core for the 2016-17 season.
The Lady Jets lost Carrie Baker to graduation but return their four other starters: senior guard Allyson Masterson, sophomore guard Kennedy Morris, junior forward Tara Goubeaux and junior forward/post Kinsey Goins.
Also returning to Franklin Monroe roster are junior post Allie Armstrong and junior guard Danielle McVey, both of whom came off the bench for the Jets last year and earned varsity letters.
Rounding out Franklin Monroe’s roster are five freshmen: guard Chloe Brumbaugh, guard Audrey Cable, guard Belle Cable, forward/post Corina Conley and forward/post Chloe Peters.
All 11 Lady Jets will play varsity this season as Franklin Monroe will not have a junior varsity girls basketball team. Also, all 11 are in contention for starting spots, coach Abbey Moore said.
“Everyone has a key role in our program this year,” she said. “I have seen tremendous progress during the preseason.”
A positive Moore has seen in her team is its cohesiveness.
“So far early on in this season this team has developed a sense of unity that often times as a coach you do not see until midway through the season,” she said. “I truly believe that early on in the season this will be a strength for us as other teams will still be trying to find their identity. From the beginning of the season our motto has been ‘In it together.’ This team has shown that they are in it together.”
Along with having strong bonds on the team, Moore has seen improved physical strength from her players. The Jets still have progress to make, but that strength already is helping.
“As the year progresses will be striving to improve in every aspect of our game,” Moore said. “This year one of our main focuses is to ‘play strong.’ Implementing a weight-lifting program this season has shown results in the preseason.”
During the upcoming season Moore expects her team to be competitive at all times.
“Our expectations for the 2016-17 season are high,” Moore said. “During the summer/preseason we have developed a highly competitive attitude. Every time we take the floor this season we will do so with purpose and a mindset of determination to give our best effort every second of every game.”
