New team, new colors and new coach make for a promising season

As you all know, it's that time of year again to put away the knee pads and volleyballs and get out the high tops and basketballs. This will be the first year for the I-W girl's basketball team consisting of 23 girls coached by first-time girls' coach Rocky Johnston of Wakonda. Johnston was the head boys' basketball at Wakonda 1987-1991 and head boys' coach at Centerville in 2000-2001.

Coach Johnston said, "I am looking forward to getting back into coaching and interacting with and guiding these girls."

The Eagles girls' basketball team went to five different summer camps, said Johnston.

"The camps were very good. The girls learned a lot about me and I learned a lot about them. We won more games than we lost. I also had a great turnout for open gyms, with 15 to 18 girls most nights."

When asked what will be some of the Eagles' strengths and weaknesses, Johnston said, "Our strengths will be in numbers; we have plenty of girls to rotate in and out. Other strengths are ball handling and shooting. Some of our weaknesses will be defending the middle and rebounding."

They will play an up-tempo, fast breaking game. Then at times we will spread the court and look for a lay up. He also states that they will play mostly zone defenses and at times press.

Because of combining the teams the Eagles will compete in Class "A". Johnston said it doesn't matter what class you are in. If you are competitive, you can compete in any class. He is looking for his six seniors to be the leaders.

The Eagles began their first I-W practice on Monday, Nov. 21 in Wakonda with their first game on Dec. 6 in Wakonda vs. Bridgewater-Emery at 6:30 p.m. Come cheer on the blue.