Raider girls look to rebound in 06-07

Cameron County paid its dues during the 2005-06 girls' basketball season.

Wins were hard to come by -- the Red Raiders finished 6- 18 -- but many younger players gained a great deal of varsity experience.

There's likely to be a return on that investment this season, as veteran coach Pat Lewis sends his girls into battle this weekend at the Brockway Tournament. The Raiders will play their first six games on the road before the Dec. 18 home opener against Ridgway.

Lewis, in his 24th season at the helm, always finds the silver lining as he emphasizes basketball fundamentals and team play. By those measures, last season was a success. This season should be a good one; next season could be very special.

Lewis has his top two rebounders back from last year's squad and starts with a nucleus of three returning starters:

--JessicaEllenberger, a 5-6 guard, led the Raiders in steals last year and was second in rebounds (6.1), while scoring just under six points a game. She's the only senior on the team.

--Whitney Lewis, a 5-5 junior guard, was team leader in scoring (7.8) and assists, while setting a school record in freethrow percentage.

--Kristin Sestina, also a junior (6-0), was a second-team Northern Tier League All-Star. She averaged a team-high nine rebounds per game and led the Raiders in blocked shots, while scoring 6.5 points per game.

Four other girls logged enough varsity time to earn letters and will return as important contributors in 2006-07. Junior Bethany Dunsmore is a solid ballhandler and unselfish point guard. Another junior guard, Lacey Feldbauer, is aggressive and may be the quickest player on the team. Brittany Lundberg, also a junior guard, provides tough defense and all-around hustle. Sophomore guard Shelby Summers did double-duty on varsity and JV, leading the latter in scoring.

Also on hand for Coach Lewis this year will be sophomore forwards Molly Fragale (5-6), the JV team's leading rebounder last year; and sophomores Alexis Ramsey and Kimmy Burkhouse, who will supply depth off the bench.

David Sullivan return as junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach.