By BRAD BAUGHMAN, for The Democrat
Fans of Brown County High School girls basketball have a lot to look forward to this season, mostly in the form of new faces.
One of those new faces, first year head coach Emily Lewellen, is excited about the opportunities that await her young, relatively inexperienced team.
“Having lost several key players from last year, this year one of our greatest strengths is our ability to start fresh,” said Lewellen, about the loss of five seniors who accounted for 65 percent of the Eagles’ offensive production last season.
Additionally, three of the five were interior players who grabbed more than 50 percent of the team’s rebounds and took on the tough assignments of defending the opposing team’s post players.
Only three players with varsity experience return to lead the fresh start: senior small forward Anna Fleetwood (6.0 ppg), sophomore point guard Abby Fleetwood (10.3 ppg) and sophomore shooting guard Avery Patterson 4.0 ppg.
Abby Fleetwood, the team’s second-leading scorer last season, led the Eagles in assists (4.0 apg), as well as steals (4.0 spg), and was the team’s second-leading rebounder at 5.8 rpg.
Those three will get help from sophomore power forward Savannah Oden, sophomore small forward Katie Tipton, and sophomore center Abigail Watson. All three split time between the junior varsity and varsity last season.
Newcomers to the roster are senior shooting guard Halie Lunsford and senior center Isa Fogg.
About her sophomore-heavy roster, Lewellen said, “As a relatively young team, this group has the benefit of working together for the next three years. Their ability to see each other on the court and work together is fantastic. Having time on our side allows us to find what plays to our strengths of speed, quickness, strong defense and capable shooters, and continue to mold it for years to come.”
She is counting on her seniors for more than just statistical production.
“While our upperclassmen will not be with us for those three years, they will help guide us in this journey as positive role models for the rest of their teammates, demonstrating a strong work ethic and motivation to succeed,” Lewellen said.
While Lewellen embraces the opportunities that present themselves, she also recognizes the obstacles that await her team. “On the flip side of this, this ability to rebuild will also be a challenge,” she said.
Size and interior experience are concerns the first-year coach has.
“We also do not have size on our side. Our offense will have to rely on other things than a strong post down low, and we will have to find ways to protect the basket from other teams with a powerful center,” she said.
As the Eagles prepare for their season opener on Saturday, Nov. 7, a road contest with new opponent Silver Creek High School, Lewellen has a vision for her team, one that puts a premium on character.
“With such a young team, we will need to find a new identity that is our own, and not rooted in the image of years past. I would like this identity to be one of determination, drive and intention. Every time we take the court, we should be motivated to outlast the other team in both endurance and spirit,” she said.
After coaching at the junior high level for eight seasons, Lewellen is ready to take on the challenge and responsibilities of the varsity job.
“I have been around all of these girls previously and know the potential that they have,” she said. “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with this exceptional group of young women and to help mold them into great basketball players and leaders both on and off the court.”
