RCW Jaguars aim for improvement

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

RENVILLE — The Renville County West Jaguars are aiming for improvement this season.

RCW sophomore Laila Ridler (21) passes the ball along the perimeter to teammate Emily Lippert (22) during a Camden Conference game against RTR at Renville.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

They are coming off a 3-24 season, but return four starters and are working on building a winning environment for the program, which is on its fifth coach in six seasons.

“Our No. 1 goal is making practices look like games,” said Derik Johnson, RCW’s coach and the school’s activities director. “If we’re practicing bad, we’re not going to have competitive games.”

Johnson took over early last season. It’s his second stint as girls basketball coach. He was the Jaguars’ coach for two seasons before moving to the AD’s job four years ago. He’s hoping to establish some continuity and a more optimistic approach as RCW heads into the season without a senior on its roster.

He’s emphasizing the little things, the extra details, that make teams win more. He believes RCW’s volleyball team has adapted that approach and wants to incorporate it into the basketball program.

There’s some experience and some talent. There are four starters back including three juniors: Rachel Jakel, Emily Lippert and Layla Ridler. Jakel and Ridler are forwards. Lippert plays guard. Also back is Avery Roxbury, a 6-foot-1 sophomore center.

Johanna Braun, a sophomore point guard, saw a lot of varsity action last season.

RCW sophomore Emily Lippert (22) looks to drive by RTR’s Abigail Carr during a Camden Conference game at Renville.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Three ninth-graders are expected to make major contributions. All are guards. Holly Hinderks, Shelby Allex and Bailee McLagen will see lots of varsity time.

Johnson also sees his role as encouraging more students to play. There are 14 players out for basketball in grades 9-12. Needless to say, he’d like to see a lot more. Another goal for RCW is to play as many competitive games as possible. The Jaguars have been out of too many games by halftime. He thinks there’s enough talent to playing RCW a tougher game for opponents.

“It’ll be a litmus test for us,” Johnson said.