Lady Bobcat basketball preview

Hot Springs County High School’s Lady Bobcat basketball team is getting ready to hit the boards for the season and coach Matt McPhie says they have 26 players out for the team.

“We, as a staff, are excited for the season and look forward to a rewarding season full of growth with the program,” McPhie said. “The varsity team is returning with a good number of girls who lettered last year.”

McPhie said they are looking forward to implementing some new ideas and strategies, but most of all, they are going to try to build a culture and team atmosphere where the girls trust each other, and give everything they can for the good of the team and their teammates.

McPhie is joined by Katie Despain and Dana Bjorhus as his assistant coaches.

The team has five girls returning who played in all 23 games last season, Aspen Jensen, Kaylee DeVries, Tahja Hunt, McKenna Bomengen and Ashley McPhie.

Sesi Jensen also returns after playing 21 games last season.

Other girls returning who logged varsity minutes last season incloude DaniJo Pebbles, Hallie Weber, Elisa Weber, Emme Norsworthy and Jasmine Collins.

Most of those returning had great production last year, and McPhie expects they will be having another great season.

Bomengen returns after leading last year’s team with 8.3 rebounds per game and also led the team averaging one block per game. Sesi Jensen led the team with 39 steals last season and will look to increase that number this season.

Ashley McPhie was second on the team in scoring last season, averaging 8.8 points per game.

The season will oficially get under way as the varsity and JV squads will head to Wright on Dec. 7 and 8.