With many of them playing together since the fourth grade, this group of freshmen augmented with other Mt. Abram freshmen will be strong contenders for a gold ball in years ahead. Pictured (back row, left to right) are freshmen junior varsity players: Mykayla Luce, Jill Howard, Annie Dexter, Lyndsay Beane, (front) Staci Plog, Taylor Herderson and Mykayla Howard. Not pictured is sophomore Sam Werzanski and Coach Rick Norton. (David Hart photo) SALEM -– We recently caught up with Mt. Abram girls’ junior varsity coach Rick Norton who’s amidst a winning 7-3 season with a few games remaining. Norton, who is in his last year of coaching, agrees that this junior varsity squad is showing great potential and will be a varsity force down the road.

“In my six years of coaching, this is the best group of players showing the most promise that I’ve seen come through,” Norton explained.

One of the keys, he said, is the nucleolus of the team which is a group of freshman that have been playing together for years through travel leagues and middle school sports.

“You get into a certain comfort zone just playing middle school sports, but these girls have gone out year after year and competed against class A and B programs who are some of the best of the best… this has definitely helped their game,” Norton explained.

“Anytime you play basketball and the more you play it, you continue to learn the game of basketball,” Norton said.

“Dickie Beane, who has coached them year after year, has done a great job with these girls,” he said.

Now that they’ve developed the skills and basic understanding of the game, they are adjusting well to the understanding of the high school philosophy.

They’re understanding the need to spread the court, press when the time is right, speed up or slow down the game as needed and have the ability to not only learn, but execute plays. Everything is coming into perspective and the messages that were put in their heads year after year are starting to click, Norton explained.

Coach Norton said that Taylor Henderson is making some huge strides and really stepping up with the mental aspects of the game. She’s really starting to know the plays and executing them well. “When these girls come through, it’s like cramming for a college test and Taylor is doing her homework and really starting to score for us.”

“Lyndsay Beane is really starting to penetrate zones well and is getting much better looks at the basket. Her developing confidence is really starting to put some points on the board for us and defensively she’s the catalyst of the team.”

Norton said that Jill Howard is simply “great.” “I like that she’s really running the floor well and gets in position to rebound nicely.” Coach said she’s got the ability to pull down a board and then be off to the races at times, but at other times she understands that she can slow it down and work the clock.

“Annie Dexter is on the top of my list with her lowpost fundamentals. She’s really toughening up on both ends of the court.” At 5’11”, as a post player she’s going to be hard to defend down the road with her size and ability,” Norton said.

Norton explained that Mykayla Luce has a lot of experience running the point from travel and middle school play. “She really understands how to get points on the board and comprehends offensive and defensive strategies. “I’m really appreciative of her strong leadership skills while on the court.”

Norton couldn’t say enough about his returning sophomore and captain Sam Werzanski. “Defensively she’s really stepping it up and leads our team in steals. Her defense and her shot is really coming together,” Norton explained. The coach said she epitomizes a team captain because of her strong support for the younger players both on and off the court.

Norton also credited Staci Plog and Mckayla Howard, who are understanding the system well and progressing nicely. “It’s a great addition to have them off the bench and when they are out there, they contribute well and take full advantage of their minutes.”

Norton and his Lady Roadrunners have three games remaining. The coach said he’s really looking forward to seeing Mtn. Valley and Carrabec again to see how his girls will adjust and to see how they’ve progressed.

“I really look forward to these next few games and every remaining minute with this particular group of girls,” Norton said.

The JV Lady Roadrunners will conclude their season with an away game with St. Dom’s this Thursday.