Coach Jimmy Roe thinks his squad has the talent once again to challenge for the District 11-5A crown.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs again; there’s no doubt about that,” Roe says. “I like the team attitude so far this year, even though it’s early. We don’t have the pure shooters we had last year, but we have good size and good rebounding potential.”
Roe predicts Plano will be the team to beat this season.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: The future looks bright for the girls basketball team. But that future maybe a year away.
“I expect the JV to win at least 90 percent of their games under Nick Defelice,” says Coach Kim Kromdyk.
“Next year and the year after that, we’ll be very strong.”
There aren’t many familiar faces from last year’s rebuilding squad.
Players to watch this season are starting guard Liz Hughston, senior Kim Oulalline, Rachael Blaydes, Camille Gaddis and sophomores Jana Podhrasky and Celeste Rausch.
WRESTLING: Coach Pete Grieder says the team is stronger than last year’s based on numbers and ability on the mat.
Top wrestler Chung Choi, who posted a 20-9 record his junior year, hopes to improve his record. He won district and regional in the 112-pound weight class last year.
Team co-captain Greg Donahoe wrestled only part of his junior year, but posted a 13-9 record. He wrestles in the 171- or 180-pound division.
The team’s season runs through Feb. 17.
VOLLEYBALL: Injuries were contagious this year on the volleyball team, as the Wildcats posted a 3-11 district record.
But there was not a single senior on the squad, which could benefit next year.
“With the entire team returning next year, we should have the talent and experience to compete with anybody in the district,” says Coach Tracey Hurst.
Six players were down with injuries at once, even Hurst had a major knee casualty. But, the surviving players shined for Lake Highlands, particularly when they blasted Newman Smith and battled district champion Pearce in the next to last game of the season.