By Moses Leos III
With a handful of experienced players, along with promising newcomers, Hays High girls basketball head coach Danny Preuss was optimistic for the upcoming 2016 campaign.
While Hays no longer has the services of “the triplets,” experience could be the key to finally surpass the bidistrict round of the playoffs.
“I think we have a very good group from last year. We’re farther ahead at this point from last year,” Preuss said. “I think it’s because we have some kids that got a lot of experience”
The experience lies with a bevy of returning players, which includes a triumvirate of guards who Preuss said “can handle the ball this year.”
Senior Amanda Benjamin, along with sophomore Gabby Bosquez and junior Choon-Hee Chae all return for a Hays team that will predicate themselves on an up-tempo game.
Preuss said speed, along with athletic ability, could help deflect the team’s lack of size.
He cited other teams in the area, which he said have been successful without a player above 6-foot, 4-inches in height.
“Speed is still part of our game. We still have that,” Preuss said. “Last year we had the speed part. But this year we’ll have the speed and the smart part too. So we can play fast but under control.”
Preuss said he felt confident with any of the three guards directing the offense and handling the ball. It could also lead to multiple opportunities on offense.
“When one is handling the ball, the other two are helping run the offense,” he said.
Providing support will be junior Jaden Williams, along with senior Haley Carmona.
Hays added another guard during the offseason as junior transfer Breajee McMillian moved into the district from New York.
Preuss said McMillian has a lot of “raw talent” and that the Rebels “look for a lot of good things from her as well.”
In the frontcourt, Hays returns 5-foot, 11-inch junior forward Jada Finister, whom Preuss said “worked hard over the summer and played a lot of basketball.”
According to Preuss, Finister improved in rebounding, and that she “plays a lot taller than she is.”
But competing in a loaded 14-6A will be the challenge for the Rebels.
Hays will contend with Bowie, which returns standout post Kianna Ray, along with Westlake and Lake Travis, which returns Mandy Karako.
Preuss said district play last season was an “eye opener” for the team. But Preuss said with an additional year of experience, the team could show more confidence on the court.
It’s bolstered by some of the Rebel players going up against their district counterparts while with their Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) teams over the summer.
“They see those kids out there, they know their names,” Preuss said. “The fear factor’s gone, and they say, ‘we can play with those girls.’”
Focusing on the importance of district games is how Preuss believes the team can improve in 14-6A. But he also understands that every game will bring new challenges.
“We have to bring our ‘A’ game in district, so we can do what we want to, and get the best seed we can to get past the first round,” he said. “We talk about it every year. But we have to be hungry for it.”
