SV girls have a lot of ‘unknowns’ in 2021

St. Vincent girls basketball coach Mel Kirn isn’t too sure what to expect from his team this year.
“We have a lot of unknowns,” Kirn said of his team. “However, these girls have been working hard and I think we can be pretty good.”
The Lady Indians graduated a total of seven seniors off last year’s 11-10 squad that reached the district championship for the third straight season. The Lady Indians return three seniors Addison Cates, Anna Schwartz and Reese Barber, but after that St. Vincent is quite young.
The roster has just two juniors, three sophomores and six freshmen.
“We only have 14 players in the program, so it’s going to be all hands-on deck at times this season,” Kirn said. “These younger girls get six quarters and I’m going to use them all most nights. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see some freshmen and sophomores on the floor at times.”
Kirn named nearly every player on the roster, when it came to people he is looking forward to watching play including juniors Adilynn Ponder and Abigail DeRousse, along with sophomores Faith Kell and Teagan Harris who should provide some shooting.
Schwartz and Cates averaged nearly 10 points per game last season, while Barber averaged eight points last season. Not only will Kirn look for an uptick in numbers as the seniors take an elevated role on the court, but he will also off the court.
“These girls have shown great leadership already this season and I’m going to be leaning on them to continue that because that’s a big part into every successful team, is that leadership,” Kirn said.
That leadership will be key because one thing that Kirn said the team does not possess is height.

“We are not very tall,” he said. “When we get into games with teams that have some size, we may have problems. That is something that we are going to have to contend with all season because there aren’t going to be too many times we have the tallest girl on the court. I don’t see us throwing it inside too much this season.”
It will be a team effort when it comes to rebounding as well.
“We have to pinch down on those post players and have two or three bodies to rebound,” Kirn said. “Everyone is going to have to help out on that.”
When the Indians do get those rebounds, they will look to run on offense and press on defense.
“We may not be tall, but we are quick,” Kirn said. “We have some girls who ran cross country in Anna and Cailyn Prost and others, so they are already in shape. We want to use some of that to our advantage. That’s where using all the available players will help us out as well. I have one rule, when you’re open don’t be afraid to shoot.”
Kirn boasts a calm demeanor on the bench as he wants his players to have fun when they play.
“These are smart girls and they know when they mess up,” Kirn said. “there’s no need to yell and tell them about it because they know. I want them to have fun out there.”
Kirn has several goals, which include double digit victories for his team.
“I think we can achieve that,” he said. “I have a lot of talented girls and it may take some time for them to get used to the varsity game, but when they do, everything will come together.”