BELVIDERE — North returns not just all five starters, but it’s entire team.
And one.
Senior guard Leah Schwendeau missed last year with an ACL injury. Now she is back, as are starters Jessica Gamble, Bobbi Johns, Jacobi Banks, Jillian Leutscher and Andie Behling for second-year Belvidere North.
“Experience will be a big factor for us,” said coach Michael Bradford, who played with five freshmen and four sophomores in the school’s first season. “We were real stinking young last year. We had a lot of turnovers because we’d get in situations and panic. We hadn’t been in that situation enough to know how to handle it or know where our teammates were going to be.
“We didn’t have any older players to lead the younger players. This year we’re in a much better situation. You can see people understanding where people are going to cut to, when to screen for them, when to take the shot. That’s priceless.”
The Blue Thunder feature a lot of balance. Banks led the team in scoring with a nine-point average last year and Bradford plans to utilize a deep bench.
“It’s great to be in a position where the players know every day they have to work hard because if they don’t someone’s going to take their spot,” he said. “I don’t want them concerned about playing time. I want them concerned about playing hard for however many minutes they get. If we do that, we’ll be successful.”
North hopes to reach .500 in the NIC-10 after going 4-12 last year.
“We’re still building; we understand that,” Bradford said. “But we took some lumps last year. Hopefully, this year we can return the favor.”
Assistant Sports Editor Matt Trowbridge can be reached at 815-987-1383 or mtrowbridge@rrstar.com.
Blue Thunder at a glance
Coach: Michael Bradford (Second year, 7-17).
Last season: 7-17 (4-12, 8th in NIC-10, lost in regional quarterfinals).
Returning starters: Jessica Gamble (5-8, Jr.), Bobbi Johns (5-6, Soph.), Jacobi Banks (5-7, Sr.), Jillian Leutscher (5-8, Jr.), Andie Behling (5-9, Jr.).
Other key players: Holly Hilden (5-6, Soph.), Jordan Hartfiel (5-9, Soph.), Brooke Berkenpas (5-6, Soph.), Leah Schwendeau (5-6, Sr.).
Strengths: Loads of depth and experience, with nine lettermen, including all five starters, returning, plus Schwendeau, who was out last year with an ACL injury. Balance. Speed.
Weaknesses: No go-to scorer. Turnovers are a worry.
Outlook: Belvidere North should move up to around .500 in the conference.
