Halfway girls basketball is ready to improve on last season’s eight-win campaign with a bigger roster taking the court this season.
“We have numbers,” Halfway head coach Dan Stander said. “We have expanded our roster from seven players last year to 13 players this year.”
Six players who saw action at the varsity level return this season.
Junior Ashlyn McCarthy was a second-team all-conference selection last season after she averaged 10.6 points, 4.1 rebounds. 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
“Ashlyn McCarthy was forced into an unfamiliar role with the injury of our point guard early in the year,” Stander said. “She will now be able to switch back to a more comfortable position.”
Fellow junior Josie Choate also returns as a starter after averaging 5.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2 steals per game.
“She will again be asked to go inside and outside as a post/forward and be relied on for her defense in the post and her rebounding skills on both offense and defense,” Stander said.
Raeghan Timmerman missed all but three games of her sophomore season due to an injury. She was a second-team all-conference selection as a freshman.
“During the third game of the 2024-25 season she suffered a torn ACL, which ended the season for her,” Stander said. “Her point guard role and leadership abilities will welcome additions this year.”
Madi Doke is a fourth returning junior with starting experience. She averaged 10.6 points, 5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game last season. She was also a second-team all-conference selection.
“Like Ashlyn, Madi was affected by the loss of our point guard and will also be able to switch back to a position she is more familiar with,” Stander said.
Hannah Maggard is back for her senior season after starting last season. She averaged 3.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
“Hannah Maggard will be relied on for her offensive and defensive rebounding abilities,” Stander said.
Junior Sophia DeHart rounds out the returning players.
“We expect her to continue to give us valuable minutes in the post and on the perimeter,” Stander said.
Kinley Redd (freshman), Gracie Redd (freshman), Ashlyn Spear (sophomore), Alyssa Spear (senior), Jaylen Marlin (junior), Emma Horn (sophomore) and Vanessa Hartley (freshman) are the newcomers to watch.
Stander on Kinley Redd: “Kinley brings us much-needed depth in the guard position. Her ball-handling ability and tenacious defense will be a welcome addition to the team.”
Stander on Gracie Redd: “Gracie will bring us much needed depth in the post area, where her offensive and defensive rebounding will make a difference.”
Stander on Ashlyn Spear: “Ashlyn will be another contributor to the guard position. Her quickness will definitely fit into our up-tempo style of play.”
Stander on Alyssa Spear: “Alyssa will contribute to the depth of the team in her first year of high school ball.”
Stander on Marlin: “This is Jaylen’s first year at Halfway, and she will also add to the depth of the team. We look forward to seeing the role that she will play throughout the course of the season.”
Stander on Horn: “Emma comes to us from home schooling. This is also her first year at Halfway and we look forward to seeing what role she will play as a member of the team.”
Stander on Hartley: “We expect Vanessa to develop fundamentally and experience a lot of growth this season.”
Rebounding will be key for Halfway.
“We are small in stature so we must commit to blocking out our opponent on defense, and increase the chances for second-chance point opportunities by attacking the boards on offense,” Stander said.
Halfway opened the season with the Fair Play tournament this week placing fourth. Timmerman and McCarthy each earned all-tournament honors.
Stander is hoping this tournament is just the first step towards a deep run in the final tournament of the season.
“Last year, we won our opening round game in districts,” Stander said. “Just three years ago, we had to forfeit our first-round district game because we didn’t have enough players to finish the season. Our goal this year is to make it to the championship round in districts.”
