Rachel Beck | Posted: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 4:00 pm
Lebanon Express writer
It's time for lessons and minutes to start paying off for the East Linn Christian Academy women's basketball team. The Eagles have been a young team for two years and look to position themselves as a contender for 2008-09.
"I'm feeling really good about the season this year," said head coach T.J. Garber.
Fourteen of the 24 all-league players from the Tri-River Conference graduated, but East Linn returns both of its all-stars, juniors Maurisa Bates and Hannah Whitehead. Bates was second team all-league at center and point guard Whitehead was honorable mention.
The TRC's three representatives to the state playoffs last year made it to the semifinals. Salem Academy won the 2A state title, Santiam was third and Kennedy fifth. And even with many all-league athletes gone from the league, the Garber expects the TRC to be high-caliber again.
"We're in the toughest conference in the state," he said.
The Eagles will tune up for conference play with a preseason schedule that includes 2008 state runner-up Portland Christian; Harrisburg, sixth in the 3A tourney last year; and 3A school Regis.
In the past, Garber said, a schedule like that might have been a bit overwhelming for his young players. Not anymore.
"I think this year we're going to need those games to make us better, to challenge us," he said.
A team with just two seniors may not sound experienced, but several of the athletes have been playing varsity minutes since they were freshmen.
Garber wants to see that come through not just in their game skills.
"I'm really hoping that this year that experience will show in their leadership, their decision-making out there on the court," he said.
There are more young players in the pipeline.
Sophomore Whitley Garber, who was out last season due to injury, is a welcome sight to the Eagles. Freshman Whitney Warren is expected to make an impact at guard.
The team has the staff and the skill, but needs to bring their new players into the fold and get team chemistry.
"I feel that a team that learns how to complement each other and learn to play together and form that team-unity bond is going to be a lot stronger," Garber said.
The 2008 squad should be quicker and better shooters.
"We're gonna try to transition to a faster-paced game," Garber said. "Our big enemy will be our turnovers."
Co-coaching with Garber is Ryan Schweitzer, who assisted last season. He'll take the reins of the defense. It's not the first time Garber and Schweitzer have collaborated on the court: They played together at East Linn back in the '90s.
Ashley Riutta is the junior varsity coach. Katie Jensen, a 2007 ELCA grad and former Eagle standout, will give post advice to the varsity.
As for the players, they're excited for the season to get underway.
"It'll be fun just to see how we fare in the league this year," Whitehead said.
The Eagles played at Chemawa on Tuesday. Results were not available at press time. On Thursday, they host Portland Christian at 6:30 p.m. See the season schedule on the bottom of this page.
ELCA women's basketball
Head coaches: T.J. Garber (4th year) and Ryan Schweitzer (1st year)
Returning varsity: Christina Barreto, jr.; Maurisa Bates, jr.; Whitley Garber, soph.; Abbie Koos, sr.; Shelby Messmer, jr.; Becca Roth, sr.; Hannah Whitehead, jr.
2007-08 record: 10-15 overall