Sophomore-heavy Senators look to mesh as a unit

Carson High girls basketball is back to the basics this winter with only two returning players from last season.

After a 3-18 campaign in his first year returning to the helm, head coach Todd Ackermann knows the Senators will have to continue to build team chemistry as the season progresses.

“Overall team wise, we will be better than last year. We are just so young with seven sophomores,” said Ackermann. “We have a lot of youth and inexperience that we have to overcome.”

Returning from last season will be two sophomores in Lauren Finnerty and Alondra Carrillo, who will occupy two opposite positions on the floor.

Finnerty averaged 7.3 points and five rebounds per game in her freshman season as a forward for Carson.

Meanwhile, Carrillo handled the point guard duties in her freshman season mixing between a bench player and a starter when needed.

They’ll both be especially important as the only two with varsity experience under Ackermann’s system.

“I think we will gel as a team as we get going,” said Ackermann. “It’s just how much can we grow. I think the opportunity for us to make strides is there.”

Growing as a team

For Carson, the growth starts with holding onto the ball.

The Senators averaged 25 turnovers per game last winter and cutting those down will be of the upmost importance for Carson to remain in games.

“We have to handle the ball. There’s so much we have to work on and we just run out of practice time. As they get going and they play as a team, that will be what we’re really looking for out of them,” said Ackermann.

Kiele Franco, Dahlia Keating and Ashley Waiksnoris will join Finnerty and Carrillo in the starting ranks to open up the season.

All three are sophomores and fellow sophomore, Clarissa Quintana,  could end up in the starting lineup too as Ackermann sees fit.

Carson will run a few different offensive sets, but will run mainly out of the flex offense.

Defensively, Ackermann says the Senators are more comfortable in man-to-man defense.

“We’re a little quicker than we were last year. We have to learn to help out,” said Ackermann. “We’re going to make mistakes early, but if we can limit those mistakes down then that will be a step in the right direction.

Looking around the region

Returning regional champs, Bishop Manogue, are the odds on favorite to repeat while other teams like Douglas, McQueen and Reno will be contenting for that Northern 5A crown.

For Carson, playing competitive basketball and causing problems for teams as the season goes on will be how Ackermann judges the success of the season.

“If we’re playing everybody tough and we’re in games, … If we start causing problems for teams then I think we will have made a good amount of growth,” said Ackermann.

Schedule

12/10 – v. Fallon, 7 p.m.

12/13 – at Lassen, 6:30 p.m.

12/15 – v. Galena, 5:15 p.m.

12/17 – v. Reno, 12:30 p.m.

12/22 – at Damonte Ranch, 5:15 p.m.

12/28 – 12/30 – Tournament

1/5 – at Reed, 5:15 p.m.

1/10 – at McQueen, 5:15 p.m.

1/13 – v. Douglas, 5:15 p.m.

1/17 – v. Bishop Manogue, 5:15 p.m.

1/20 – at Spanish Springs, 5:15 p.m.

1/24 – at Galena, 5:15 p.m.

1/26 – at Reno, 5:15 p.m.

1/28 – v. Damonte Ranch, 12:30 p.m.

1/31 – v. Reed, 5:15 p.m.

2/3 – v. Sage Ridge, 7 p.m.

2/7 – v. McQueen, 5:15 p.m.

2/10 – at Douglas, 5:15 p.m.

Varsity roster

Alondra Carillo, So.; Dahlia Keating, So.; Alexis Chester, Sr.; Ashley Waiksnoris, So.; Clarissa Quintana, So.; Makayla Rabideau, Fr.; Lillian Turner, Fr.; Kiele Franco, So.; Lauren Finnerty, So.; Ana Cazares, So.; Christina Spuehler, Fr.