By Chris Parker
Salem girls basketball returns four starters from last season’s four-win team with seven total players returning who saw varsity action last season.
Five juniors are among those seven returning players.
Raven Gillam led the returning players with 5.6 points per game with 4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
“Raven Gillam will be a vocal leader for us,” Salem head coach Cody Woody said. “She puts in a lot of work all year round. She has improved every year, and I don’t see that changing.”
Allie Walters was just behind Gillam with 4.9 points per game. She also contributed 3.5 rebounds per game.
“Allie Walters will be leaned on to get a lot of the inside scoring and rebounds this season,” Woody said.
Trista Dooley leads the returners with 4.3 rebounds per game in addition to 4.2 points, 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
“Trista Dooley will see her scoring go up this year,” Woody said. “She could be a knock-down shooter for us.”
Abby Terrill will have a new role this season coming off averages of 3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
“Abby Terrill will have a new role this season, as she will not have to handle the ball as much,” Woody said. “She could have some big games for us this year.”
Zoey Elliott rounds out the returning junior class.
“Zoey Elliott is a player that leaves everything on the floor,” Woody said. “She is the glue player for our team.”
Sophomores Gracie Mendenhall and Brynna Pace round out the returning players.
Mendenhall, who is six-feet tall, had 2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a freshman.
“Gracie Mendenhall will need to be a big part of the inside game for us this season,” Woody said. “(We are) looking for her rebound numbers to really go up this season.”
Pace saw action in 23 games last season.
“Brynna Pace is looking to take a step forward this year,” Woody said. “She can really guard the ball and push the pace of play.”
Freshmen Clara Ball, Maddie Mercer, Josie Bowers and Paisley May will all look to have an immediate impact.
Woody on Ball: “Clara Ball will bring quickness and ball handling to the team this year.”
Woody on Mercer: “Maddie will bring calmness along with ability to play many roles on the team.”
Woody on Bowers: “Josie will bring defensive pressure all over the court. She will be an energy player.”
Woody on May: “Paisley is super athletic and will step in and help us in many roles this season.”
Salem opens the regular season on Nov. 25 at Licking.
