PREVIEW: Experience, height bode well for MHS

     With five returning starters, three of whom stand at 6-foot or taller, the Monticello High School girls basketball team should be a handful for River Valley Conference opponents in the coming season.

     “Strengths this year will be our height, quickness and length,” said head coach Donnie Kremer, who is in his 18^th year at the helm.

     “We have several athletic tall girls who can move. We will have solid guards that have some good experience.”

     The Panthers return 80 percent of their scoring from last year, Kremer said, led by 6-2 senior center Jordan Kuper, who averaged a double-double last year with 12.4 points and 11 rebounds per game.

     Standing 6-0 are seniors Gabrielle Steiner (6.3 points per game) and Carly Hayen (4.6). Both will play forward at times; Hayen will fill in at center and Steiner can play guard if needed.

     Two 5-8 junior guards, Tori McDonald and Karli Recker, round out a formidable starting lineup.

     Four other letter-winners are back: 6-0 senior Emily Schlarmann, junior guards Gabrielle Guilford DeLainy Fellinger, and sophomore Lydia Recker.

     “We have great leadership, and very hard-working girls,” the coach said. “We have very good chemistry between the grades, which is a plus.”

     The competition in the RVC will be challenging as usual this year. Cascade starts the season ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 2A, and West Branch is ranked eighth. Monticello was listed 14^th in 3A.

     “Cascade, West Branch and Bellevue look to be the top teams in the league,” Kremer said. “We are aiming to compete with those teams.”

     The coach added that he is concerned about the team’s depth.

     “We do not have a lot of post depth, and we need to develop that,” he said. “Mental toughness is another area that we need to be better at. We are going to have to be mentally tough each night, and continue to improve with each game.”

     The coach and players are hopeful that the team can improve over last year’s records of 10-6 in the conference and 12-7 overall. Monticello reached the regional semifinals last year with a win over Tipton before losing to Davenport Assumption.

     “The girls want to get back to State, compete for the North Division title, and play hard every night,” Kremer said.

     Ashley Kremer is the varsity assistant coach, Chuck Welsch is the junior varsity coach, and Cory Recker serves as a volunteer coach.