The Aberdeen Central girls' basketball team has its core group of six or seven players returning with experience, but one of the Golden Eagles' early goals will be the development of depth behind those players.
Central graduated four seniors, Tiffany Lundberg, Megan Jordre, Kayla Schaunaman and Kelcy Schaunaman, from last year's team that went 17-8 overall, 9-5 in the Eastern South Dakota Conference for third place, and fifth in the State AA tourney.
The Golden Eagles have three players six-foot or taller to go along with a pair of 5-foot-9 players.
"We have size with Sara Niederbaumer (6-0), Samantha Knecht (6-2) and Kaytlynn Kingsriter (6-0)," said Central girls' basketball coach Dawn Seiler, who begins her 30th season in coaching with a 475-186 record (winning percentage of 72 percent). "We're working at creating more depth in case of injuries and to push our starters in practice. We need to develop depth at every position."
Seiler begins her 15th season at Aberdeen Central after 15 seasons at McIntosh.
Five seniors will be key to the team's success. Kelsey Hannigan, Kayla Krueger, Knecht, Brynn Flakus and Niederbaumer are in their last season of high school basketball. Knecht and Flakus have already committed to play basketball at the NCAA Division II level for the University of Sioux Falls next season.
"They (The seniors) are all good leaders. Kelsey is the floor general. The point guard is usually the one that has to get us organized offensively and defensively. Brynn is a three-year starter and really competitive. When the game is on the line, she is one of those kids that wants the basketball. All the seniors lead collectively. They all have individual roles," said Seiler.
A pair of juniors, Kingsriter and Leah Beringer, are being prepped for important reserve roles.
"We're trying to develop Kaytlynn to back up Sara and Samantha," said Seiler. "From Leah, we're looking for some scoring. She's a good shooter. We need to have her out there on a consistent basis to stretch the defense and make it easier on our bigs inside. Leah's a three-ball shooter."
Sophomore Maddie Goetz has gained the attention of the coaching staff.
"She is so savvy. She ends up in the right spots. She makes plays that nobody else does. She's not afraid to mix it up. She's a versatile kid like Brynn, who can play the point guard spot or move inside. She's a capable shooter," said Seiler.
Another sophomore, Jamie Larson, is backing up the guard position. A pair of freshmen, Ally Steckler and Brianna Kusler, are also listed on the varsity roster. Kusler is injured and out of the lineup right now.
The two teams that met in the State AA championship last season are both expected to do well this season. Mitchell returns Kerri Young and Macy Miller to their state championship team. Sioux Falls Washington, which is coached by Aberdeen native Nate Malchow, finished second.
"Mitchell has everybody returning," said Seiler. "Girls' basketball at the double AA level is at its peak. There are good quality teams. Washington is strong. Washington played all underclassmen with the exception of one. There is good inside play with a lot of big kids out there."
Seiler's assistant coaches have remained the same, with Jake Phillips leading the junior varsity. Tevan Wenbourne coaches the sophomore squad and Steph Daly with the freshmen.
"They're a good crew to work with and we're familiar with one another. We're like a team where we each play our roles," said Seiler, whose point of emphasis is "we need to stay healthy."
2012-13 Schedule: December - 6, Brookings; 11, at Watertown; 15, Sioux Falls O'Gorman; 22, at Yankton; 28, Rapid City Stevens; 29, Rapid City Central; January - 4, Brandon Valley; 5, Mitchell; 8, at Huron; 11, at Brookings; 18, Watertown; 22, Pierre; 25, at Sturgis; 29, Huron; February - 2, Yankton; 8, at Mitchell; 12, at Sioux Falls Roosevelt; 15, Brandon Valley; 19, at Pierre.