Wildcats Look To Seven Returning Players For Leadership
With seven returning players and several promising athletes moving up from the junior varsity level, the Rockbridge County High School girls basketball team hopes to build on its success last winter.
The Wildcats had one of their most successful seasons in program history last winter, going 11-13 and making their first regional tournament appearance in six years. They entered the Region 3C tournament as the 10th seed and concluded their season with a 45-42 road loss to sixth-seeded Alleghany in the first half. The 11 wins were the second most in program history, only behind the 15-10 team of the 2014-15 season.
Under the direction of thirdyear head coach Darrell Plogger, the Wildcats will look to their returning players to make up for the loss of three key players. Guard Emma Clark, the Wildcats’ only senior last year, is now a Division III basketball player for Bridgewater College.
After a strong junior season, guard Abby Bouchard transferred to the Harrisonburg Home School. The Wildcats also lost their 6-foot-3-inch center, Ruby Goodhart. A strong scorer, rebounder and shot blocker, Goodhart was named to the all-district and all-region first teams as a sophomore last winter, but she has transferred to the Miller School of Albemarle in Charlottesville. “I wish them the best,” said Plogger of the three departing players.
Despite these losses, the Wildcats have an experienced core group. Three of their four seniors are returning players. Shooting guard Natalie Samante (5-3) is the Wildcats’ captain. Samante is a strong floor leader and an excellent defender. “We usually put her on the other team’s best offensive player,” said Plogger.
Stepping up as the Wildcats’ starting center is returning senior Lola Mulitalo (5-10). “She’s an excellent rebounder and a good finisher around the basket,” said Plogger.
Also returning is senior point guard Bella Dorey (5-3). “She’s really the one that makes us go,” said Plogger. While Dorey will set up the offense, Plogger said she’s “a really good defensive player.”
Completing the senior class is forward Brooklyn Beverly (5-5), who played for the varsity team two years ago before taking last winter off and then playing softball in the spring. Plogger said Beverly is “another scrapper” who “does a lot of good things offensively. She knows where to get to.”
The Wildcats have three juniors this year, two returning from last year and one new to varsity. Des Butler (5-3) provides a spark on offense and is strong on defense, often leading the team in steals last year. She’ll rotate between the shooting guard and small forward positions. “She did a lot of dirty work for us last year,” said Plogger.
Also returning is junior guard Lexi Samante (5-2), who played on both the varsity and junior varsity squads last year. Plogger said she is strong around the perimeter. “She’s really practiced well so far,” said Plogger.
Moving up from the JV team is junior forward Emma McKnight (5-6). A talented athlete who was an all-region first-team lacrosse midfielder in the spring, McKnight is a valuable addition for the Wildcats. “We think she can really be a defensive stopper for us,” said Plogger.
Adding depth to the roster are four sophomores. Two of them, guard Gensesis McCoy (5-2) and power forward Madison Mangione (5-9), saw some varsity action last year. Plogger said McCoy is “picking up what we do fast. She’s a really good athlete.” The RC coach said Mangione is “a good rebounder and finisher.”
New to the varsity level is sophomore Kyra Strowbridge (5-2), a shooting guard and small forward. “She’s worked hard this summer and has improved tremendously,” said Plogger. “We’re gonna try to play fast, and she’s gonna benefit from us playing fast.”
The Wildcats also welcome sophomore center Ellie McKnight (5-9), who transferred from Fort Defiance. “She has good footwork and a nice shot,” said Plogger.
With fewer girls out this year, RC has no JV team, and freshmen Gabby Clark (5-11) and Cirrah Whitelow (5-1) have joined the varsity team. Clark, a center, is a strong rebounder who “put in a lot of work over the summer and really improved,” said Plogger. Whitelow, a shooting guard, is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and hasn’t been cleared to play yet, but she has done some light workouts in practice.
Plogger said the Wildcats’ biggest strengths are their athletic ability and their depth.
The main area the Wildcats are looking to improve on is cutting turnovers and taking care of the ball better.
Like in the past, a goal for the Wildcats is to “get better every day,” said Plogger, not setting a limit on how much his team will improve.
Plogger returns his entire coaching staff from last year. Monica Schaus comes back for her second year with the Wildcats. “I couldn’t do what I do without her,” said Plogger. “She’s basketball smart, and she’s really helped me.”
Also returning is Tyler Falls, who was the JV head coach last year and will continue to assist on varsity. “His patience is amazing to me,” said Plogger.
The Wildcats also welcome back assistant coaches Ricky Haston and Paul Pelter, who will help with game-day issues and statistics, and Seth Clark is a volunteer assistant coach who will help when he can.
RC’s student managers are Gracie Pelter, Maddie Smith and Fatima Wean-Tenorio.
After playing in the Valley District for the last seven years, the Wildcats have switched to the Shenandoah District, with shorter trips to face district opponents. Plogger welcomes that change because the Valley District was “probably the strongest in the state,” with four of the top 10 teams.
The Shenandoah District will still be challenging, though. Plogger said Stuarts Draft is the likely favorite, with a strong backcourt, and Buffalo Gap should also be one of the top teams.
The Wildcats will open the season at home next Tuesday, Dec. 2, against James River before starting district action the following Tuesday, Dec. 9, at home against Staunton, beginning at 6 on both nights.
