The Perry girls finished the 2015-16 season with an 8-14 overall record, a mark that included a 4-10 trip through the always-tough Raccoon River Conference. Improving on that mark will be no simple task, as the Jayettes must replace several key pieces.
Lost to graduation was the one true post player on the squad, with 48 percent of the team rebounding and 39 percent of the overall scoring from last season now missing. Adding to the difficulty for veteran coach Mike Long was the loss of expected starting guard Alyssa Kruger to shoulder surgery, which will sideline the junior well into the spring.
However, all is not doom-and-gloom, as several experienced players do return, led by seniors Grace Marburger and Emma Olejniczak.
Marburger led the team with 276 points (12.5 per game) while grabbing 74 rebounds, making 60 assists and coming away with 47 steals. She hit 50-of-162 3-pointers (30.9 percent) and was 60-of-90 at the foul line.
Olejniczak scored 148 points (7.0 per game) while hitting 16-of-48 treys and 26-of-46 at the charity stripe. She pulled down 87 rebounds, distributed 38 assists and had 24 steals.
They will be joined by Jo Diw, who averaged 6.6 points in 11 games last winter. She had 44 rebounds, 29 steals and 21 assists while shooting 11-of-36 beyond the 3-point arc.
Junior guard Grace Stewart and freshman Molly Lutmer will add athleticism and solid shooting as well, with the Jayettes likely to rely on long-range shooting and a trapping, pressure defense to offset what will be a negative size differential in most games. Sophomore Lillian Robles will also suit for the varsity and could see playing time.
Inside play from senior Maddie West, junior Isabel Saemisch and sophomore Gabby West will be crucial, as every rebound and point that can come from the paint will be seen as a bonus.
Perry opens play tonight against visiting Newton. The Cardinals have already played twice, defeating visiting Bondurant-Farrar, 57-14, Friday before dropping a 69-28 contest to visiting Carlisle Saturday.
The Jayettes will return to action with a trip to Des Moines North Nov. 28, and will then join the Perry boys for a twin bill at Carroll Dec. 2 before a girls-only contest against visiting Des Moines Christian Dec. 3.
