Brittni Hagemeier has been one of the greatest assets for the Elsberry Lady Indians, According to Head Coach Hector Bencomo. He is sure she will be able to step up and help lead the team next season.
With basketball now over for the Lady Indians, I recently had a chance to chat with Coach Hector Bencomo and to find out whether the 2012-2013 season met, exceeded, or fell short of his expectations.
“Our season was much improved over last year and for that I am very proud of the girls,” said Bencomo. “However, if better is possible then good is never enough.”
Bencomo added, in his opinion, it was the hard work and dedication most of his players put forth last summer that made this a winning season.
Furthermore, Bencomo believes the successful season was not due to the efforts of any one player or group of players, but everyone, who really stepped up and took personal responsibility for getting the team as far as it went.
“I believe it was a team effort and that our victories were due to the fact that every single player contributed to the best of their ability and pulled together as a team,” said Bencomo. “You must keep in mind that there is no “I” in team.”
Bencomo believes this year the Lady Indians benefitted greatly from both their youth and their poise, describing his girls as “hungry and fast,” but also “improved in fundamentals and always working as a unit.”
Unfortunately, Bencomo is also all too aware of the fact that the team exhibited some pronounced defensive weaknesses this season, which he sums up as a “lack of man-to-man defense as a team unit and mediocre rebounding ability.”
Those defensive weaknesses, however, did not stop the girls from defeating some very respectable teams and Bencomo listed the victories against North Calloway, Warrenton and Orchard Farm as his personal highlight reel for the season.
Unfortunately, just as his team seems to be coming together, Bencomo finds himself in the unenviable position of having to say goodbye to three of his seniors-Krista Dye, Myra Marty and Kayla King. Their presence meant a lot to the team this season and filling their shoes will be no easy matter.
“The seniors will be greatly missed,” said Bencomo, adding that performances by some of his junior varsity and upcoming freshmen players during summer workouts and shootouts will determine who gets to step up and fill the void left by those who are graduating.
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