Trojan hoopsters hope to build on lack of experience

The best way to describe Iowa City West’s women’s basketball team is with two words - short and inexperienced.

Two things that could definitely hold the squad back if they hope to compete in the Mississippi Valley Conference and make another deep run in the state tournament.

The team finished 16-6 last season and made a postseason run to the sub-state final, losing to Ankeny. But the core of that team has since graduated.

The Trojans lose about 60 percent of their scoring from last year, including top-two scorers Emma Kittle Krieger and Madison Sadecky.

Although team captains have yet to be decided, all indications point to seniors Kristin Fomon, Reed Mackenzie, and Courtney Fritz to be called upon to lead the Trojans.

The trio combined for only 14.6 points per game last season, less than Kittle Krieger’s 15.3 individual effort last season.

West head coach B.J. Mayer said he hopes sophomore Tatum Klein will also make an impact and anchor the team on the defensive end.

The major pitfall will be the team’s lack of height.

“It’s definitely one of our weaknesses,” Mayer said. “We will probably rely more on the three-point shot this year.”

The Trojans plan to implement a new offense this season, switching to a more up-tempo style.
On defense, the team will look to use a lot of trapping and pressing, while at the same time, using a combination of zone and man-to-man.

“We want to try to wear teams down,” Mayer said. “We also want to cause a lot of chaos on defense.”

With Linn-Mar, Cedar Rapids-Kennedy, and Iowa City High returning most of their top players from last year, the Trojans will need to get off to a solid start and continue to gain experience as the season progresses.

West opens up its season on Nov. 24 against Fairfield.

“It is very important to get off to a good start and give our young players some confidence,” Mayer said.