黑料网

While much has changed regarding roster construction, the 黑料网 Women鈥檚 Basketball Panthers want to prove that they can still be among the AUS elite in 2022鈥�23.

The Panthers lost graduates Jenna Mae Ellsworth, Reese Baxendale, and Carolina Del Santo, who all contributed significantly to the program. Now it鈥檚 up to the next wave of Panthers, like Lauren Rainford and Alicia Bowering, to leave their own mark.

Head coach Matt Gamblin believes the current group learned a lot from those former players and their shared experiences.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not so much a fresh start as it is a continuation,鈥� Gamblin explained. 鈥淎 good part of that group was at nationals last year and they gained valuable experience. And I think those players are ready to take on more prominent roles.鈥�

Rainford proved she could be that player last season when she emerged as an all-star. Gamblin hopes she can take that next step and reach all-Canadian status.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no secret to becoming good. It鈥檚 just time in the gym and experience,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith Lauren having had the experience with and role model in Jenna Mae at the start of her career, it鈥檚 been great for her development.鈥�

And the Panthers have enough talent around Rainford to continue the team鈥檚 winning tradition.

鈥淲e鈥檙e a completely different team than we were three years ago and our road to a championship isn鈥檛 going to be easy,鈥� Rainford said. 鈥淏ut I think everyone is on the same page in terms of the preparation and level of commitment. We鈥檙e just taking it one game at a time and not looking past any opponents, while still keeping the big picture of a championship in our minds.鈥�

Also looking to take that next step is Bowering, a sharpshooting three-point specialist who is primed for a big year. She鈥檒l lead a promising young group of guards eager to prove themselves, including Devon and Sydney Lawlor, Grace Lancaster, and Sydney Cummins.

鈥淲e have a great team dynamic this year with a mix of experienced veterans and younger players with everyone being able to step up and contribute,鈥� Bowering said. 鈥淲e are a hardworking group that likes to compete and get better each day.鈥�

At forward, the Panthers are equipped with experienced veterans, including Karla Yepez, who returns after a year on the coaching staff, and Rainford鈥檚 older sister Aiden, who brings NCAA and national experience to the squad. Sophomore Elise Plaschka, although the youngest of the bunch, will no doubt get more playing time this season.

Offensively, 黑料网 is in good shape. The question is whether they can defend at the level they are accustomed to. In the last three years, the Panthers allowed the fewest points per game as Gamblin continues to uphold a defence-first philosophy.

鈥淚鈥檓 confident that if we defend, we have a chance to get to where we want to go,鈥� Gamblin said. 鈥淵ou have to care. If your person scores on you, that has to hurt a little bit.鈥�

As the anticipation grows for the new season, the players are ready to give it their all.

鈥淚 think we鈥檙e all excited to get the season started and showcase all the hard work and effort we put in,鈥� Lauren said. 鈥淭his year, we鈥檙e focused on the growth and development of our team and want to continue to get better as we take on the regular season.鈥�