Springfield Central girls basketball is looking for a bounce-back season coming off a one-win campaign behind a hard-working group.
“We have a lot of awesome student athletes this season,” Central head coach Caitlin Lamberth said. “Girls who are willing to put in the extra work to be successful, girls who are leaders and willing to push each other to make each other better. I am excited to see what we can accomplish this year.”
The Bulldogs have one senior on the roster in Annalise Freeman.
“Annalise has been a four-year varsity starter who is going to be looked upon for more production this season,” Lamberth said. “She has always been the hardest worker on the court, but with her developed skills and leadership she is going to make a huge impact this season. She is an incredible player to coach on and off the court. She is reliable, committed and overall, an awesome student athlete. I look forward to watching her succeed this season.”
Juniors Amanda Fajardo (guard) and NeheMiah Rady (center) also return.
Lamberth on Fajardo: “Amanda has a great drive and work ethic. She has worked hard over the summer and offseason to elevate her game. She wants to be successful and is willing to be put in any role to make that happen. She can handle the ball, shoot it well and will be counted on this season to be a leader.”
Lamberth on Rady: “NeheMiah has high goals and expectations for herself that we will count on this season. She can not only play defense well, but she’s worked to develop her inside game as well as her perimeter game. I am excited to see her goals be put into action this year.”
Sophomore Clara Moody along with freshmen Sam Githieya and Maleah Carter will be newcomers to watch.
Lamberth on Moody: “Clara is such a great student athlete it is hard to keep her from the varsity lineup this year. She has great footwork and can shoot the ball well. We want to work on her developing more confidence, but she has done a great job working towards a varsity spot this year.”
Lamberth on Githieya: “Sam is an exciting player with great basketball IQ and skill. Even as a freshman, she has skill above her years. She is going to be relied on to handle the ball for us and to score. She is very versatile as well. I have put her in many positions, offensively and defensively and she handles it well, always willing to help the team. I am excited to see how much better she can become over the next year.”
Lamberth on Carter: “Maleah has some very raw talent that we are excited about this season. She can handle the ball, isn’t afraid to shoot, or get to the basket. She is hungry to score and wants the ball in her hands. Her confidence is really going to help our program.”
Lamberth wants her team to be scrappy this season.
“We will have to be fast and scrappy this season,” Lamberth said. “Pushing the pace against other teams and willing to put it all out there on defense.”
Central opens the season on Nov. 25 at Marionville.
“I am most excited to see these girls’ hard work pay off,” Lamberth said. “They are great student athletes on and off the court and just an overall great group of girls. I love working with them every day.”
