Douglas High girls basketball
Hailee Koontz sets up to shoot a free throw in the season opener against Hug. Koontz is one of the Tigers’ three captains.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
There’s really only one message from first-year head coach Alicia Main to the Douglas High School girls basketball team: everything is earned, not given.
Outside of voting on captains, Main maintains that playing time will be awarded for effort in practice.
“Whoever works hard in practice that week,” said Main. “It might be different. … We have a big squad (16 players). They’ve all earned the right to be there, but they haven’t earned the right to play.”
ROSTER AND CAPTAINS
Douglas opened the season with a convincing win over Hug (56-25) in Minden.
The Tigers have three captains: Hailee Koontz, Grace Strabala and freshman Kimber David.
Main said David “leads by example. She is the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. … I expect a lot out of her.”
David led the team in scoring against the Hawks with 16 points, adding 10 rebounds.
For Koontz and Strabala, the expectations are to rally the team whenever possible.
“I expect them to lead and bring them along,” said Main.
Sophomore Devany Sheridan dropped 15 points against Hug.
“We like those little pit bulls,” Main said of Sheridan.
Seniors Maddelyn Laney, Sequoia Ellison, Jemmiah Pitts and Kaylie Minder all took the floor against the Hawks.
Junior Joy Palmer, and sophomores Jayda Yarrow and Bryani Ono help round out the roster.
The Tigers’ team speed will allow them to play aggressive defense, aiming for passing lanes with active hands. In total, Douglas swiped 28 steals against Hug.
Douglas will compete in the Sierra League alongside Carson, Damonte Ranch, Galena and Bishop Manogue. The top three teams, of the five in the Sierra League, will qualify for the regional postseason.
The Tigers will be at home Thursday, Friday and Dec. 18.
(Douglas freshman Kimber David looks to pass the ball up the floor in the Tigers’ season opener against Hug. / Ron Harpin)