Trojans have experience as letter winners return in 2022

BY DENNY SROKA Sports correspondent

The Mount Union girls basketball team are optimistic about the 2022-23 season. They lost just one senior to graduation and have six letter winners returning and they’re ready to step onto the hardwood.

The Trojans have 12 players on the roster with five seniors and a junior with five sophomores and a freshman. Within that group of 12 players there will be five letter winners that will be ready to take the floor upon the beginning of the season.

Haley Myers will start her second season leading the Trojans finishing 6-15 last winter with a young team that had just one senior on the roster. “We improved as the season moved along last year and are ready to continue to get better and continue to build the program,” said Myers.

Dan Myers and Trisha Grove will be on board to assist this winter. Analise Handerhan will be at the helm of the junior high program.

Minerva Sheeder was the lone senior to graduate from the program in the spring. Sheeder was a team motivator and pushed the younger players to improve.

Senior Abby Brodbeck is back after an injury last year sidelined her and will help lead the team. She is expected to work with the younger players. Abby has athletic ability, and she plays physical.

Senior Chelsea Williams has a good outside shot hitting 16 treys last season and scored 127 points. Williams will also be expected to lead on the floor and motivate the younger players.

Senior Sophie Smith a very quick player that will run the offense and scored for the Trojans from the foul line last season. Smith hit 32 of 63 foul shots for 0508 percent and scored 133 points with 11 from threepoint land.

Junior Patyn Crisswell is a good defensive player and works hard inside for the Trojans. The Trojans expect Crisswell to increase her scoring with points off the boards this season.

Sophomore Maddie Dimoff was a very good player off the bench last season and is expected to increase her scoring this season. Dimoff has improved her game and plays good defense.

Sophomore Cailyn Skopic also is a good player on defense. Skopic came off the bench and contributed last season expected to improve and score for the team this season.

Senior Kendra Gardner and Syneira Cox were both injured last year with return dates to the team up in the air. These two players could be a very big boost to the Trojans season when healthy.

The Trojans came into practice working on the conditioning drills and team drills working on shooting off the zone. They will run some motion offense at times. On defense they are working on a strong man defense unless foul trouble come into play and will also be able to work a zone defense effectively.

“Our goals are to just keep on improving and refining our offense,” said Myers. “We want to become consistent and be competitive every night on the floor. We must come ready to play every night and play one game at a time and see where that takes us.”

“The Inter County Conference is tough as always,” added Myers. “Bellwood like always is going to be tough and Juniata Valley lost a scorer, but they will still be tough. Williamsburg is always strong, so we just must keep working.”

“I was not sure what to expect last season knowing that basketball was not a big priority here with low numbers,” added Myers. “The desire was better than I expected. These girls that come out are hungry and they are very coachable. I did not have a lot of expectations last season due to being new, but we made strides in our skills and lost several close games. Depth hurt at key times in the close games. I thought I would have to come in and motivate and it is just the opposite. I have nothing to say but good things about this team. Their heart and soul is in it.

The Trojans open the 2022-23 campaign on Friday December 2 at McConnellsburg in an inter-divisional game and return