New season awaits Warriors

Members of the Del Norte High varsity girls basketball team pose for a photo during practice on Wednesday. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

The Warriors will face Klamath Union of Oregon starting at 4 p.m. The Del Norte boys varsity team faces Klamath Union at 5:30 p.m.

On Wednesday night the girls squad was hard at work as they got in one last practice before the season opener.

“I think we’re doing alright,” head coach Buzz McCulloch said. “We’re excited to play,  although I wish we had a few more practices.” McCulloch said practices began a week later this year, but said while there is always room for improvement, especially before the season begins, he feels that for the most part the team is ready to begin play.

The Warriors were 8-17 last season and were winless in the Big 5 Conference.

McCulloch said the squad is looking to make an improvement this year, which begins with winning a league game.

He believes the team has the potential to get better this year and said the girls are determined to have a good season, especially the seniors.

“I feel that we can compete with Eureka and Arcata and hopefully be in the middle,” of the Big 5 standings, he said. “I think they (the seniors) have a desire to do well.”

Three senior starters from last year return.

This includes shooting guard Lauryn Lesina, who was a first team White Star selection last season and has been a varsity starter since she was a freshman.

McCulloch said Lesina is certainly the team’s top scoring threat again. She has also been working on improving her defensive game to become a more complete player, her coach said.

Senior Katy Suzuki, who is expected to start at point guard, and forward Lexie Nelson return to bring experience into the mix.

A bench player last year, senior Ariana Spalding is expected to start in the post this year.

Junior Kristyn Rook joined the varsity team as a sophomore late in the season and is expected to play key minutes.

New to the team this year is senior Paula Rhodes, whom McCulloch expects will be a defensive presence for the squad.

He said the remaining players consist of junior varsity members from last year who are looking to make an impact on the varsity level this year.

To McCulloch, these early season games are the perfect opportunity for the girls to establish themselves and show the coaches what they’ve got.

With more games under the team’s belt, the coaches will have a better idea of who can contribute, McCulloch said.

Players McCulloch thinks will be a factor this year include juniors Rachael Lawrence and Casey Walch.

While not the biggest team this year, McCulloch said they are quick and athletic.