A new look for Lady Dogies

The Lady Dogie hoops team will have a new look this season. After graduating four starters from the third-place team last year, and the loss of the coaching staff, the team will return a couple of familiar faces, several young players, and two new coaches.
 
Mike Pederson replaced Chad Ostenson as head coach of the Lady Dogies, and former Lady Dogie Bailey Karp will be serving as assistant coach for the year. 
 
Returning players include senior Jayde Harrington, who is the lone returning starter, sophomore Syd Pederson, who saw quite a few minutes last year, senior Emi Lichtenberger, junior Julie Morris and sophomore Brooklyn Benshoof, who also saw some time last season.
 
Numbers are low for the Lady Dogies, with only 14 girls out for the season this year. There are two seniors, one junior, four sophomores and seven freshmen.
 
“Jayde and Syd have the bulk of the varsity experience, while Julie, Brooklyn and Emi contributed some minutes,” Pederson began. “We don’t have a ton of experience, so the bulk of the players are brand new to 3A varsity basketball.”
 
Other returners are sophomores Callie Christensen and Preslee Fitzwater, while the freshmen include Adalyn Olson, Delainey Dresen, Kydal Von Eye, Lillie Morrill, Christine Swentesky, Josie Smith and Scottlyn Hildebrandt. 
 
Like in the volleyball season this year, there will be some of the freshmen players making the transition all the way to varsity this season — which is a huge leap from middle school ball. 
 
“It’s a big change, but they are doing a pretty good job right now,” Pederson said. “They’re going to get thrown into the deep end this weekend, and they’re going to see just how fast and physical varsity basketball can be.”
 
With a different roster and some new personnel, Pederson said that while he is still planning to play a fast game and take advantage of the transition game, he will be utilizing the post position more than the team has in the past. 
 
“I like to post up multiple people, depending on the situation,” Pederson explained. “Even if they play the guard position, I’ve got quite a few of those who are strong in the post position and can create great mismatch situations when they are on the block.”
 
Defense will be a key for the Lady Dogies this year, and Pederson is determined to play a pressure game and really use great defense to create offensive opportunities. 
“The new kids play really well with each other and complement the returners quite well. They also bring some different things to the team that I think we’ll be able to use,” Pederson explained. “They like to play physical and fast, so I’m looking at using them in more pressure type situations on defense.”
 
Looking around the conference, Pederson predicted that Douglas and Buffalo will be front runners, not only in the 3A East but in the state as well. They finished first and second at the state tournament last year and both are returning the bulk of their players.
 
Torrington plays a similar game to Newcastle. They are physical and like to pressure the ball. Wheatland will be pretty good. Glenrock is big and will be a tough match-up for Newcastle with their height. Moorcroft will be scrappy and won’t roll over, but Pederson believes his team should be able to play with them pretty well. 
 
“It’ll take a few games to figure things out, but we have the potential to be able to compete,” Pederson said. “There is an eight game preseason schedule, so we will have the opportunity to work some things out before conference match-ups begin in January.” 
 
“Though we will be coming in as the underdog, I think that we will surprise some people,” he continued. “Most teams will remember Syd and Jayde, but other than that, we are an enigma. Having a little chip on our shoulders will be okay, and hopefully the girls will use that to their advantage.” 
 
Fortunately, the ladies will not have to face any 3A competition in their opening weekend of competition in Burns. However, the 2A competition they will face will definitely challenge the rookie team. 
 
They will tip off against Burns and Pine Bluffs on Friday, then will play Arvada and Big Horn on Saturday.