Windham Bombers girls’ basketball Coach JJ Collins will be the first to say it is no easy feat for a basketball program to return to the court and be successful after graduating a pair of 1,000-point scorers. But while Windham may not as be experienced this season, it still has plenty to play for.
“Obviously we are not going to be as dynamic on offense but in the first two scrimmages we have had they have picked up the defensive intensity way higher than it was last year,” noted the eight-year coach. “We have held our own in both scrimmages so there is a positive outlook. Over the last years, I have laid a pretty good foundation and they are adhering to it pretty well. If their basketball acumen increases a little bit and I think we will be okay.”
Last season, Bomber standouts Briah Daniel and Mariah Woods each reached the 1,000-point club and lead Windham to an 8-3 record in the Northeastern Athletic Conference Stripes Division. Collins acknowledged that not having either player suit up for the Bombers this year would be a significant loss for the team, particularly because the Bombers have one of the youngest teams that Collins has fielded since becoming head coach, with a roster made up of six freshmen and one sophomore.
Although Windham’s roster is far younger than in previous years, Collins said it is a nice sight to see so many underclassmen emerging from the junior high level committing to the varsity program.
“First of all, credit to my junior high coaches, they are getting them to where they are not intimidated to play and second, the kids start talking about all of the little things that happen,” he added. “I am not a personally specific coach. I am an opportunity coach. If you come in and work then I am giving you the opportunity to show what you can do.”
Despite Windham’s youth, Collins added that the Bombers have not been afraid to pick up the pace so far in practices and scrimmages, which foreshadows the up-tempo pace they hope to keep during the regular season.
“We did a good job of getting out and running on offense but I think the big difference is we are going to be more sound defensively,” he said. “I think it boils down to this year’s squad. It is slightly more athletic than last year’s team.”
The player with most significant starting experience from last year will be junior forward Brielle Jones. According to Collins, although she is only a sophomore, the 5-foot-8 post player will be relied on heavily to help usher in her younger teammates.
“She has done a good job of explaining to the freshmen what to expect and has helped them in scrimmages a lot,” he noted. “As coaches we can prepare them for it, but the real life experiences from their classmates is what gets them over the edge.”
The other Bomber with starting experience is sophomore guard Makenzi Blockinger, who alternated as the sixth player off the bench and as a starter last year.
“She is very athletic with an endless motor and plays hard the entire time she is on the floor,” Collins said of the 5-foot-6 wing. “She is becoming a decent shooter and is very good at getting downhill.”
Windham’s front court will be bolstered by junior forward Tierra McCall, who Collins describes as the Bombers’ best perimeter shooter.
A newer piece to the Bombers’ foundation will be freshmen McKenna Jones, who Collins sees as a key offensive fixture in Windham’s offense for years to come.
“She has the “it” factor,” Collins said. “She knows how to get the ball in the bucket, and she knows where she can get her ball in the bucket from and she somehow finds her way to the spots more often than not.”
The final starting spot will be filled by freshman point guard Kierra Sanders.
Collins said she will be taking over the role of floor general previously held by Woods, and he can already see the potential.
“She is very athletic, very good at attacking the basket, very good at passing on the attack and her jump shot is coming along,” he said. “She might be the best defender in the gym for us so she is a good all-around young player.”
The Bombers will get a chance to show their potential when they open their season with a road game against Campbell Memorial on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m.
