Lindbergh High School girls’ basketball head coach Bill Thoele is optimistic about the 2007-2008 campaign as many athletes are returning from last year’s squad.
The Flyers graduated just one player from last year’s team that went 10-16 overall with a 3-5 mark in Suburban West Conference play.
“I’m pretty happy with the girls,” Thoele said. “We’ve got a lot of girls returning and a few moving up from the JV team.”
Brittany Casey, the Flyers’ top scoring threat last year, returns after averaging 11.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last year. The junior forward also put together 31 assists, 53 steals and five blocked shots last season.
“Brittany led us in scoring last year and is much improved,” Thoele said. “Her biggest asset is how she gets up and down the floor and gives you 100 percent all of the time.”
Senior Aimee Ubriaco is another big scoring threat after averaging 11 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last year. The starting guard led the Flyers last year with 124 assists and 109 steals.
“Aimee knows exactly what we want out of that position and what we expect to see is for her to get us double-figure points and to protect the ball well this season,” Thoele said. “If she can get that and still be the leader that she is, we’ll be fine this season.”
Another Ubriaco who should make a significant impact on this year’s team is sophomore guard Alicia Ubriaco. She averaged 9.4 points and 3.9 rebounds last year while also recording 44 assists, 52 steals and eight blocked shots.
“Alicia’s only going to get better because she’s physically getting stronger,” Thoele said. “We expect her to be scoring in double figures this season.”
Junior Emily Bozdeck will take on the center role this season after averaging 4.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last year.
She also had 22 assists, 24 steals and 2 blocked shots last season.
“Emily’s very physical underneath the boards,” Thoele said. “We’re hoping for her to improve on her point total and I think she’s done a really good job so far this season.”
Center Lauren Fischer and forward Sabra Peters are two seniors who should figure into the Flyers’ success this year. Fischer averaged 1.0 points and 1.6 rebounds per game last year while Peters scored 0.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.
“Lauren’s probably our tallest player on the team and has been giving us 100 percent in practice,” Thoele said. “Sabra has a knack for being around the ball and needs to get physically stronger. I think she’s someone that could get some quality minutes for us this year.”
After winning two of its first three games, the Flyers will play host to Fox at 7 p.m. Friday in the team’s home opener.
Fox (1-1) is coming off a 44-35 loss to Miller Career Academy as the Warriors’ Rachel Heilmann scored 13 points, 10 rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot.
