Turnaround teams: Why 9 Section III girls basketball teams are on the rise

Syracuse, NY – Section III girls basketball teams are enjoying a rebound season.

We asked the coaches of nine girls basketball teams enjoying turnovers this season to find out the secret to their success.

Here are their answers:

Beaver River

Last year: 6-13

This year: 8-4

“We return 7 of our 9 players from last years team. The girls are playing great team defense right now and doing a great job of sharing the basketball.” -Tracy Adams

Christian Brothers Academy

Last year: 11-10

This year: 10-1

“Having almost our entire roster back from last year helped a lot with the consistency and continuity of learning and playing.”Dear Macaluso, Liana Thomas, Juliet Zimmerman, Leah Stark and Margaret Kuehner), who has been in the same system since eighth grade, has allowed us to add little things and game plan more effectively each week. The whole team bought into the system and committed to all of our defensive schemes, which became our signature. Lastly, the girls get along so well and enjoy playing for each other in the most unselfish way that has led to our success this year.” -Mike Cariseo

Dolgeville

Last year: 9-12

This year: 5-2

“Our improvement this season has come from our leadership team and the return of all our girls from last season. With support and leadership from our seniors.” Ryleigh Kenyon and Molly Rauch along with the juniors Payton Comstock and Kayden Davidson we were able to start our season with a good run. Additionally, having all of our girls back from last season has allowed the group to continue to develop and build team chemistry, which can be difficult at times with new players joining and losing seniors each year. We are excited to see the impact some of our classmates will make in the coming years, led by Addison Comstock, Allanna Stack and several others who took this season as an opportunity to grow as individuals and as a team.” — Jennifer Morse

Hannibal

Last year: 8-9

This year: 8-1

“It’s been a great start to a unique season for us so far. As anyone who’s seen us knows, we only had five full-time varsity players until this week. We just had a player come back from injury, but we only had five girls for all of our games and then called up one or two JV girls to provide some depth. We still got great production for all positions on the floor. Olives and Harley Somers team up with the freshman guard Gabrielle Walters create a dynamic force at the back of the pitch. They can all watch, they can all score and they have great motors. juniors Payton Browngardt and Emma Walters they gave us incredible toughness and consistency in the front court. We have been fortunate to win a lot of close games this season. A good portion of our lineup is pretty much set in that we have trusted and established roles that help us when we’re faced with a challenge or adversity. In most of our close games, we were able to stay in the game with our defense and then close games in the fourth quarter. These girls have already played a lot of basketball together as a group and the results are showing on the floor. They keep finding ways to get stops, make plays and win games.” – Pat Earley

Frankfort-Schuyler

Last year: 8-12

This year: 10-0

“As a young team last season, FS played a tough schedule that really helped them grow and be ready to compete with anyone this season. While the underclassmen continue to be the main offensive threat, the arrival of seniors Madelyne ReidConsistency on both ends of the court was the difference. That was key to turning close losses last season into wins early this season. Unselfishness and teamwork were the main reason for the early season success.” — Jeff Adásek

Fulton

Last year: 10-9

This year: 7-1

“We’ve improved our team defense! We bought into a tough man-to-man game this summer and it’s seeping into our different looks offensively and defensively. Being in our third year together, our program vision of just being ‘tough’ is really coming together, we just have to stay committed to the program!” – Craig Trude

Sherburne-Earlville

Last year: 4-16

This year: 8-5

“Our girls are bought in. They’ve put in a lot of work all year and have grown each week. They’ve really settled in defensively and had a lot of success in that regard. We always preach ‘bring the juice’ and they really brought a whole new level of energy and effort to the court this season.” — Steve Franklin

Skaneateles

Last year: 7-13

This year: 7-4

“The team came in focused on defensive intensity and strong rebounding on both ends of the court. This helped our transition game and led to better scoring opportunities. Our returners and freshmen worked well together, gave great effort and never gave up.” —Jim Szalach

Whitesboro

Last year: 2-16

This year: 6-4

“We have a veteran group with seven seniors and several of those seniors are three- or four-year varsity players. We also have three two-year varsity juniors and a sophomore who has been in eighth grade. So we’re experienced. All the girls are bought in and play hard. We also have great team chemistry.” –Tyler Schermer