Loggers look to overcome last year's injuries
Phil Johnson | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 1 month AGO
<p>Basketball practice with Dayln Germany left, and Taylor Quinn.</p>
Head Coach Jim May taped four ankles before the start of a practice Wednesday because after last year’s injury-plagued season, he wasn’t going to take any chances.
May’s sense of safety follows a season where early-season injuries took a toll.
It was a fitting start for a Lady Logger basketball team that hopes to bounce back from a devastating year. Moments into last season, Libby counted two keys players lost to serious knee injuries. The depleted roster struggled to a 4-17 record.
Senior wing Taylor Quinn partially tore her right ACL in the second quarter of the first game last season. After a year away, May says Quinn wants to make up for lost time.
“She felt she got cheated last season,” May said. “She’s a talented player.”
Junior wing Shyla Stevenson blew her left ACL playing soccer last year and missed all of basketball season. After earning significant varsity experience during her freshman season, Stevenson is eager to get back on the court.
“Taylor and I sat together on the bench last season,” Stevenson said. “We’re best friends, and they say misery loves company.”
Stevenson said the team is adjusting to new roles and taking a more serious approach than before.
Another important player will be Hailley Moe. The junior post started every game last season. May said a bit more touch around the rim could turn one of the conference’s best post defenders into an outstanding two-way player.
Junior wing Dayln Germany started half of the games last season. May hopes to develop Germany into a three-point-shooting specialist.
“She already has a great mid-range shot,” May said.
May expects to run eight or nine girls in his active rotation.
“It’s going to take all season to see what kind of team we are,” May said. “It’d be nice to get to divisionals and pull off an upset.”
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