By Chris Parker
Jason Cole takes over as head coach of the Aurora girls basketball program this season. Cole made previous stops at Exeter and East Newton where he compiled a 208-96 overall record including a state championship in 2009 and state runner-up finish in 2011.
He takes over a program seeking to win the program’s first district title since 2012.
Two senior all-conference players in Ellie Creasey and Payden Blevins return to lead Aurora.
Creasey was named first-team all-conference and all-district after she averaged 13.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
“(Creasey) really good shooter that has a good knowledge of the game,” Cole said. “(She) can score in a number of ways. Ellie has worked hard to improve every part of her game.”
Blevins averaged 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on her way to honorable mention and first-team all-district honors.
“(Blevins is our) returning point guard who will be looked to for being solid at both ends of the floor,” Cole said. “Payden is a really good defender and can beat you in a number of ways at the offensive end.”
Macy Montgomery (senior), Kena Hall (sophomore), Alyssa Burch (sophomore) and Jaelyn Ernest (sophomore) also return to the varsity lineup. Montgomery scored four points with 3.9 rebounds per game last season. Hall chipped in 7.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Burch scored 2.5 points with 3 rebounds per game. Ernest saw action in 22 games averaging 1.3 points per game.
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Senior Rylee Murray returns to the team after missing last year due to an injury.
Nadia Davis will see varsity action as a sophomore. She is a strong defender.
Freshmen Jaysa Ernest, Brooke Blevins and Lakynn Robinson will look to make an immediate varsity impact.
Kylee Cole transferred in from East Newton where she averaged 8.5 points and 3 rebounds per game as a freshman.
Depth will be a strength for Aurora on Cole’s first season as head coach.
“I believe our depth and willingness to buy into the changes we are making have been a significant strength up to this point,” Cole said. “If this continues it will allow us to grow throughout the season.”
Defense will need to improve for Aurora to find success this season.
“We are looking to improve at the defensive end. Last year’s team gave up 43 points per game while scoring 41,” Cole said. “Our overall team defense is an area we definitely are looking to improve upon while becoming multidimensional at the offensive end.”
Aurora opens the season on Nov. 22 at home against Hartville.
“I believe we grew significantly together this summer and have continued to do so in our fall workouts,” Cole said. “We will play a different style and we know that there will be growing pains throughout the process. We have a tremendous group of student athletes who are eager to have a great year. In many instances we will have a bullseye on our back, which is different than it has been in years past. One of our biggest challenges will be how soon we understand that we are not going to sneak up on anyone and will get their best each time we step on the floor. We have had some great competition within our program up to this point and I anticipate that it will continue which will make us a deeper team as the year progresses. Our message has been to embrace the process and lay the foundation for an improved program throughout the year and for years to come.”
