Second-year coach Rebecca Fletcher says Dirigo needs to limit turnovers and take advantage of every possession. And, of course, score.
The Cougars averaged 31.3 points per game in 2016-17, which ranked ninth in the Mountain Valley Conference.
“We did a pretty good job defensively, we just really struggled to score,” Fletcher said.
Dirigo lost the scoring of Olivia Noyes and the leadership of Kaicey Conant to graduation, so Fletcher is looking to juniors Ashley Perreault, Sophia Jacques and Alexa Varnum to step up and be more productive.
The Cougars likely won’t have a primary scorer, so everyone will need to pitch in.
“It isn’t going to be one or two people,” Fletcher said. “It really has to be five of us, because we don’t really have a scorer. It really does need to be by committee, everything that we do.”
Varnum, a frontcourt starter the past few years, has been a consistent scorer, and she also pulled down 7.1 rebounds per game.
Fletcher also sees potential in sophomore Alyssa McTyre in the important role of point guard.
“That person needs to be able to control you offensively,” Fletcher said. “With the help from the other junior leaders, they need to be able to settle us offensively and get us into sets.”
Katelyn Carlow, a senior, and junior Mackenzie Ladd are coming back from injuries, and should contribute if their health allows.
Coach: Rebecca Fletcher (second year)
Conference: Mountain Valley; Class: C South
Last year’s results: 4-14
Returning athletes: Senior — Katelyn Carlow; Juniors — Ashley Perreault, Sophia Jacques, Alexa Varnum, Lillie Williams, Devon Fletcher, Mackenzie Ladd; Sophomore — Alyssa McTyre.
Key losses: Olivia Noyes, Kaicey Conant, Brittany Greig.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Alexa Perreault, Taylor Bryant, Francelia DePalma, Page Lueders.
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