Railroaders hoping to show improvement

The Whitehall varsity girl’s basketball team is seeking to rebound after a disappointing 2010-11 season that saw them lose twice as many games as they won.

In order to improve on last year’s 6-12 record (6-10 in the league) the team will look for contributions from a host of younger players.

The Railroaders lost several experienced players from last year’s squad, including outside threat Loren Martell, defensive stopper Paige Mason and All-Adirondack Team All-Star Katie Paddock.

“This is a transition year for us. We are a young team,” said second-year head coach Jim Burgey.

Fortunately, despite their youth, the team will be buoyed by several returning players who saw significant court time last year.

Last year’s squad had a number of sophomores, who should show marked improvement after getting their first taste of varsity-level competition last year.

Junior Brittney Putorti started every game for the Railroaders last season and will be asked to assume a larger role on the offensive end of the court.

The team will also count on fellow juniors Victoria Christian and Ariel Ayers, both of whom logged time on the court last season.

Other players who logged minutes on the varsity squad last year and will be asked to assume greater responsibility this year are Payton Bessette, Faith Eaton, Brianna McDonald, Marissa Alexander and Rebecca Lavin.

Burgey said the team will also look for contributions from first-year varsity players Kendra Rocque and sophomores Ashley Davis and Kelsey Farley.

With so much youth, Burgey said the team has been concentrating on becoming fundamentally strong. “They work hard, practice hard and are a disciplined group.”

While the team lacks ideal size, they do possess a great deal of athleticism that will dictate the style they play.

“We have some speed. We are going to push the tempo a little and look to get points in transition by moving the ball up the court,” Burgey said. “And we will play a lot of man to man defense.”

Argyle, who went undefeated in the league last season and second place finisher Fort Ann both return every player and are expected to be the class of the league. Fort Edward and Lake George should also be formidable.

Burgey is realistic about his team’s goals for the season; a state championship is likely not in the cards. Instead the team will seek to be competitive while preparing a young team for the future.

“Our goal is to constantly seek improvement. We want to be better at the end of the season than at the start. We want to improve every day, from practice to practice,” Burgey said. 

 

Roster

 

Name                                                    Year                                                       Height                  Jersey #

 

Victoria Christian                             11                                                           5’5”                                        11

Brianna McDonald                           12                                                           5’1”                                        12

Payton Bessette                               11                                                           5’4”                                        13

Rebecca Lavin                                   11                                                           5’8”                                        14

Kendra Rocque                                 11                                                           5’7”                                        15

Ariel Ayers                                         11                                                           5’6”                                        20

Brittney Putorti                                11                                                           5’7”                                        21

Ashley Davis                                      10                                                           5’4”                                        22

Marissa Alexander                          12                                                           5’8”                                        23

Faith Eaton                                         11                                                           5’8”                                        25

Kelsey Farley                                     10                                                           5’8”                                        30

 

Schedule

 

Tues, December 6th            Fort Ann @ Whitehall                 6pm

Fri, December 9th               Lake George @ Whitehall           6pm

Tues, December 13th          Whitehall @ Argyle                     6pm

Fri, December 16th             Warrensburg @ Whitehall           6pm

Tues, December 20th           Whitehall @ Hartford                 6pm

Tues, January 3rd                Whitehall @ Salem                      7pm

Fri, January 6th                   Whitehall @ North Warren          6pm

Tues, January 10th              Luzerne @ Whitehall (ACC)       4:30pm

Thurs, January 12th            Luzerne @ Whitehall  JV only     6pm

Fri, January 13th                Whitehall @ Bolton                      6pm

Mon, January 16th              Whitehall @ Spa Catholic            4pm

Tues, January 17th              Fort Edward @ Whitehall            6pm

Fri, January 20th                 Whitehall @ Corinth                    6pm

Thurs, January 26th            Whitehall @ Fort Ann                  6pm

Tues, January 31st              Argyle @ Whitehall                      6pm

Fri, February 3rd                 Hartford @ Whitehall                   6pm

Tues, February 7th              Salem @ Whitehall                       7pm

Fri, February 10th               Whitehall @ Fort Edward             6pm

Mon, February 13th            Crossovers                                     6pm