New coach guides young Monroe Hornet team

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By John Boyle, Staff Writer Updated 8:39 AM Friday, November 27, 2009

MONROE — The Monroe High School girls basketball team has a new coach and a mostly new roster for the 2009-10 season.

The Hornets lost six seniors from a team that finished 8-13 overall and 6-6 in the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division.

But with three starters returning and some talented younger players, first-year coach Krista Doan has been encouraged by what she’s seen in the preseason.

“I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls. They were around the entire summer and this fall in the weight room. They’re coming along,” said Doan, a 2000 graduate of Talawanda.

Backcourt

Senior Rachel Williams (5-foot-4) and sophomore Reegan Reece (5-8) are returning starters who were both honorable-mention all-league picks for the Hornets last season.

Williams, a guard/forward, averaged 8.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game as a junior. Reece, a shooting guard, averaged 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a freshman.

Returning letter-winner Krystal Gaston, a 5-4 senior, junior Hannah Reece (5-5) and freshman Morgan Heck (5-4) also are in the mix in the backcourt. Gaston started four games last season.

“The big thing for us is getting these kids into the mentality of being scorers,” Doan said, “because they weren’t that last year. It’ll take a little bit of time.”

Frontcourt

Senior Allycin Foster (5-11) returns as a starter in the post after averaging 6.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Foster will be joined down low by junior post Courtney Forkner (6-0). Freshmen forwards Taylor Lambert (5-8), Noel Thompson (5-8) and Lauren Chapman (5-8) also are in the mix for playing time.

“We have some athletic kids. They might be young, but they’re outworking people,” Doan said. “You couldn’t ask anything more from your freshmen.”

Outlook

With so many young players getting used to a new coach and system, Doan believes it may take the Hornets time to click. Once they do, they’ve got a chance to be very competitive in the SWBL Buckeye.

Schedule

Dec. 1 at Kings

Dec. 3 at Northridge

Dec. 5 at Badin

Dec. 12 Madison

Dec. 17 at Carlisle

Dec. 19 Preble Shawnee

Dec. 21 Talawanda

Jan. 4 at Oakwood

Jan. 7 at Dixie

Jan. 9 Waynesville

Jan. 11 Fenwick