For the week of November 19 - 24, 2003

Will the defense
please rise?

Cutthroat cage preview

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By JODY ZARKOS
Express Staff Writer

Old school basketball says defense wins games and Community School coach Gary Carr is banking on it this season. "We are going to be strong defensively, strong on the boards. We are searching for what our offense is going to be after losing the three seniors from last year," Carr remarked.

The three upperclassmen from last season, Pauli Ochi (first team All-Conference), Erika Connelly and Kristin Hickey, scored 527 of the team’s 758 total points, and led a Cutthroat squad which never lost more than two straight games (9-10).

But the new Sun Valley coach is up to the task of rebuilding and he has the horses to do it.

Carr is filling in for Ryan Waterfield (52-60), who is participating in a Fulbright Exchange program in Czechoslovakia. For the past six years he has headed up the seventh and eighth grade girls basketball teams at Wood River Middle School.

But he is no stranger to the Northside Conference and the teams in it.

"It is without a doubt the toughest 1A conference in the state," Carr said. "The teams are always powerhouses."

League rivals include Shoshone (22-6) and Dietrich (23-4), who finished third and fourth in last year’s 1A state tournament.

In 2002, the Cutthroats held there own in the league, going 9-10 overall and finishing in fourth place in the Northside sub-district tournament (2-2).

Two starters return from last season, 5-6 senior guard Jenny Rutherford (4.7 ppg.) and 5-11 junior post Jackie Goddard (4.6 ppg), the fourth and fifth leading scorers in 2002.

Also returning to fill key positions are juniors Gussi Ochi and Blake Ellis. Carr also has high hopes for sophomore Caitlin Enright.

"I look for Jenny, Jackie, Gussi and Blake to produce. Caitlin is a real plus. She is athletic and aggressive," Carr assessed.

"We have good experienced guard play with Jenny and Gussi and with Jackie (5-10) and Katie Peterson (6-1) on the court at the same time we have one of – if not the – tallest frontcourt in the league."

With just 11 players, the Cutthroats will not field a junior varsity squad this season.

"You will probably see a regular lineup of six or seven and we will also spot fill so the freshmen can see time."

Corinna Pidgeon rounds out the sophomore class. Freshmen include Katie Peterson, Oey Parker, Alix Cayce, Ross Mills, and Louisa Waycott.

"The intensity level of the juniors and seniors is good. All the kids are really smart and pass the ball well. They learn things quickly," Carr said.

"We are going to try and be as successful as we can."

 

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