LONDON — South Laurel didn’t miss a beat under first-year coach Tod Windlan, who helped guide the Lady Cardinals 25-6 record, 50th District championship, and a 13th Region Tournament runner-up finish.
South Laurel was disclipined on both ends of the floor, averaging 54 points per game while limiting opponents to only 36 points per game, defensively.
The Lady Cardinals were also 17-1 against regional opponents, and posted an 8-0 mark against 50th District foes.
Expect more of the same this season with another talented roster returning for Windlan.
“We have a very experienced team but also very young team,” he said. “Getting to the region final game was a great experience and we hope to be back and accomplish our goal of going to Rupp.”
A solid summer tested Windlan’s squad and gave him a preview of things to come once the season tips off.
“We played 12 games, focused more on skill development and speed/agility and weight lifting,” he said. “Went to the Alabama Team Camp, and played good competition and beat Taylor County here at home during a summer game by 25-plus. We feel we have improved in areas that we needed to.”
Once again, Windlan will have a cupboard full of returning starters to depend on.
• Skeeter Mabe — “She’s the engine that makes us go,” Windlan said. “She can play point guard, but can also score off post touches and she has a high basketball IQ.”
• Maci Messer – “Great athlete, who can score in multiple ways and a great defender,” Windlan said.
• Callie Jones – “She is a combo guard, who has grown physically in weight room and has good length and good defender,” Windlan said.
•Aubrey Bundy – “She shot 50 percent from 3 last season,” Windlan said. “She is a gritty tough competitor.
Windlan said losing Jaime Buenaventura to graduation will hurt, but expects Ryleigh Bretz, who started the first half of season before getting injured, should be able to step in nicely. Other players who could start are Shelby Smith, Emma Adams and Kenzie Fannin. Mia Hibbard, Khloe Osborne, Lexi Messer, and Kenna Andes are also expected to contribute.
Windlan said experience will be a strength even though he only has one senior returning along with possessing multiple scorers.
“We don’t rely on just one or two (players), and having a year under me learning the system, they will react more instead of thinking,” he said.
Windlan also noted some areas of improving are free throw shooting and rebounding.
“We need to improve every day, and staying major injury-free.”
A tough schedule will have his team prepared for district and region title runs.
“We have a very very difficult schedule and I did that to prepare us for the post season,” Windlan said. “We should contend for a district title, Corbin and Whitley County will be our competition.
“I think we are a top three team in 13th region and feel we can compete to win the 13th region and make a trip to Rupp,” he added. “I love my kids I have here at South, they come in and work hard and think we have a special group. We have goals we want to achieve. Go Cards.”
