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Many would expect the Bishop Luers girls basketball team, appearing in its sixth consecutive regional, to be a seasoned and experienced group when it hits the floor against Westview (15-8) at Rochester this Saturday.
But the Knights (12-11) are far from a veteran squad, with just a pair of seniors and four freshmen seeing regular playing time.
There is no Miracle Woods.
There is no Brooke Ridley.
There is no Catherine Barnett.
A new group of Knights will have to lead the squad to another deep postseason run.
“This team is not as powerful (as years' past), no doubt,” Bishop Luers coach Denny Renier said. “This is a totally different team, and our kids haven't experienced this.”
Perhaps the most important cog in the Bishop Luers wheel is one of the two returning starters from a year ago, guard Addie Reimbold. And even she may still need an acclamation period on Saturday, her third game back after sitting out six weeks with a foot injury.
Reimbold showed just how important she is to the Knights' success last weekend, particularly defensively. The guard led by example in helping hold South Adams scoreless in the first half of the 54-13 victory in the sectional championship game.
“I think her foot is 100 percent, but she is not in the shape she was,” Renier said. “She still has to get in the rhythm of the game a little bit. But I am very pleased in how she played last weekend.”
Consistent defense has not been a strength for Bishop Luers this season. After losing 75 percent of its offense from a year ago, it has been impressive that the Knights are averaging 57.9 points per game. That's less than two points per game less than last season.
Tashayla Sutorious is the Knights' leading scorer with a 12.3 per game average followed by Allison Butler at 10.4 and Reimbold at 9.7.
But the defense has not stayed up to par, with opponents averaging 52 ppg this season as opposed to 39 ppg last season.
That is what is so encouraging about last weekend's performance.
“The fact is, our defense hasn't been that good,” Renier said. “We are trying to get our defense to add to the offense. We have talked about it a long time about getting better on the defensive end.”
The message appears to be getting through, and at just the right time. Bishop Luers has won six straight regional contests dating back to 2010.
With a healthy Reimbold back in the fold, the Knights may be playing their best basketball of the season.
“Addie is one of those kids that is so respected in our program, everybody is like a magnet to her,” Renier said. “When she came back (Friday) and made that first basket, our bench just erupted. Her coming back gives us a better chance to be successful on defense and offense.”
A scary thought for Class 2A North teams aiming to knock off the Knights on the way to the state finals.
Girl's Regional pairings
(All games Saturday)
Class 4A
Kokomo Regional
Semifinals
Snider (20-3) vs. Logansport (24-1), 10 a.m.
Westfield (21-2) vs. South Side (21-3), noon
Championship
Semifinal winners, 8 p.m.
Class 3A
Bellmont
Semifinals
Concordia Lutheran (17-6) vs. NorthWood (22-3), 10 a.m.
Hamilton Heights (20-2) vs. Norwell (21-3), noon
Championship
Semifinal winners, 8 p.m.
Class 2A
Rochester
Semifinals
Westview (15-8) vs. Bishop Luers (12-11), 10:30 a.m
Whiting (20-3) vs. Boone Grove (17-6), 12:30 p.m.
Championship
Semifinal winners, 8 p.m.
Class A
Caston
Semifinals
Morgan Township (14-10) vs. Oregon-Davis (21-3), 10:30 a.m.
Canterbury (21-3) vs. West Central (14-9), 12:30 p.m.
Championship
Semifinal winners, 8 p.m.
