Defensive Pressure to be Key for Alma Cardinals Girl's Hoops
Returning three starters for the Alma Cardinals Girl's Basketball team has to feel good. Amanda Siebels, head coach of the Cardinals feels her team has a lot of experience coming back and that will help. "We are returning three starters from last year’s team, and I feel that we have a lot of varsity-level experience going into this season. We had a very good season last year, and hope to continue to build on that this year. Our team had the “running game” mentality and we hope to continue that this season. This is a very fundamentally sound team, which has contributed greatly to our success."
Also for the Cardinals, they will look to make teams uncomfortable on offense. "My goal this year is to have our defensive pressure be our biggest threat, and we have struggled in that area in the past. I want them to be confident and solid in their defensive game, and execute our changes in defensive throughout our games," said Siebels. The three returning starters for Alma include senior Addison Neal, and juniors Riley Scott, and Addison Siebels.
Alma will begin the season on Thursday, December 1st at home against Bertrand.
Daily Improvements and Finding their Identity are Key for the Cardinals Boy's Basketball Program
The Cardinals are returning a lot of players who have experience, but with a new head coach, they are going to use the pre-season and early part of the regular season to establish an identity. Head Coach, Mike Ford, had this to say about the team, "I hope that this team will show up and work hard to improve every day. Finding a way to improve defensively will be key for this team to stay competitive in games. Limiting turnovers and finding the extra possessions that are won through great habits and hard work will also be paramount. It is a great group of kids and it’ll be fun watching them improve as the season progresses. We bring back most of our scoring, but will need to find extra possessions and points through defensive intensity and rebounding."
Those returning are, sophomore Spencer Gehrig, juniors Jakin Neal and Drew Neubauer, as well as seniors Ryan Kermmoade, Peyton Herrick, Ryan Brugh, and JT Clapp. There are several freshmen who look to also make an impact for the Cardinals.
Alma opens the season against Bertrand at home on Thursday, December 1st.
New Head Coach and Wrestlers Look to Learn Together
The new head coach for Alma is Tanner Wernsman and while the Cardinals return four state qualifiers, they are going to learn and grow together as the season unfolds. "Coming in as the new coach it will be a learning experience for myself and this team. Meeting some of the guys over the summer has helped us get to know each other and learn a lot. We’ll look to some young guys to step up and fill some key spots in our dual competitions and hopefully make a run to qualify for the state dual meet." said Wernsman.
Returning state qualifiers are sophomores Jeremy Felix and Tucker Brandyberry, junior Alek Molzahn, and senior Carter Brandyberry who was also State Runner-Up. Wernsman looks for Ian Dunse, Clay Frecks, and Logan Shriver to make an impact for the Cardinals.
Alma opens the season with a dual tournament at home on Thursday, December 1st.
