North Butler returns plenty of experience; will utilize upperclassmen, underclassmen

NORTH BUTLER GIRLS BASKETBALL

North Butler returns plenty of experience; will utilize upperclassmen, underclassmen

Bounce-back season could be in store for Bearcats

There’s a lot to look forward to down in Greene this season, concerning the girls’ basketball team. Some wouldn’t think so after a 1-20 season left the Bearcats at the bottom of the then-Corn Bowl Conference.

But with the knowledge, chemistry and understanding of the game that the Bearcats return, the team could be on the mend.

“We’re further ahead than we were last year at the end of the season, which is nice to see,” said head coach Kevin Clipperton. “But we’ve still got a long ways to go to be where we want to be as a coaching staff. Our kids have been working hard and improving.”

Clipperton said being aggressive on the defensive side of the ball will be a key component to this year’s team if it wants to win close games down the road.

“Rebound the basketball on the defensive end and limit our turnovers (will be main goals),” Clipperton said. “We talk about it every day. We have to have 10-12 turnovers, but no more, for us to be successful and for us to be in games.”

A group of mostly sophomores and juniors return this season behind leaders like Hallie Testroet, Haley Landers, Marcy Jacobs and Brookelyn Dye.

The team only graduated two seniors and will be molded around the fresh and young group of girls who have a better understanding for the game this season.

The new Top of Iowa Conference will pose an interesting test for the Bearcats, Clipperton said. With a team like Osage added to the mix, the Bearcats have only increased the level of difficulty in their schedule in 2015-16.

“We’ll see Osage and Newman, who we haven’t seen, and we’ll play two cross-over games (Lake Mills and West Hancock),” Clipperton said. “It will be good experience for us. Both cross-over teams are excellent teams who are very well coached and have a lot of talent there.”

By Stephen Koenigsfeld sports@charlescitypress.com