Minus Key Parts, How Will Raiders Respond?
When the final buzzer of the Group AA state semifinals sounded last March, it marked the end of an era for five seniors that led the Loudoun County girls basketball team to a 28-2 record and a Region II championship during the 2005-06 season.
Now, after the graduation of all-Dulles District performers Octavia Trammell, Camille Wilmer and Amy Sarver to graduation, the question surrounding the Raiders this season is what kind of encore can they have without those key parts?
"In order for any team to have the success we had last year, you must have a group of talented kids who are willing to work hard everyday to make themselves and their team better," Loudoun County coach Kevin Reed said.
The cupboard, however, is not bare for the Raiders, which had its magical season ended by eventual state champion Jamestown. "We have three seniors, Jordie Ballagh, Ashley Marshall and Paige Knudsen," Reed said. "Jordie is a phenomenal athlete and leader, she can finish when she is around the basket and plays outstanding defense."
Last year, Ballagh averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game and had 78 steals. This season, she has been asked to take on more of a leadership role. "I hope to establish myself as a good leader and fulfill whatever demands my coach asks of me," Ballagh said. "But I know that means I must be more of a vocal presence on the court for my teammates and I am working on that."
The Raiders entered the 2006-07 campaign looking not to rebuild, but rather to build on the season they had last year, even with a new cast of characters in lead roles.
"We are still running the same drills at practices," said senior Ashley Marshall. "Nothing has dramatically changed about us besides the fact we have a different team. I think this year is going to be about playing each game hard and just stepping it up that much more."
And step up Loudoun County must, for they are now the team everyone wants to beat. "Of course we are a target," Reed said. "Anytime you have established yourself and have consistently won other teams want to beat you. If I had to pick one team [as the district favorite] then it would be Park View.
"At County, we have one expectation, to be the best. Anything less than that is unacceptable."
For that to happen, Reed knows others have to step up. "Samantha Akers has stepped up," the coach said. "I believe she will give me the offense that Octavia gave us last year. Kerry Sarver is a better scorer than her sister, also Amy Williams was phenomenal on the defensive side of the ball."
With Akers and Williams, both only juniors, and Sarver, a sophomore, Reed has a talented trio of underclassmen to build around for the next couple of years. "If this team finds its identity, and if they figure out the system and can learn to trust one another, then their youth will not be recognized," the coach said.
