In the nine years as Harrisburg head girls' basketball coach, Jake Stewart is about to embark on unchartered territory.
The former boys basketball standout at HHS turned girls coach will have the daunting task of rolling out a team that will feature four new starters, something he's never experienced before as skipper of the sidelines.
Stewart, to his credit, is 171-78 all-time with a .687 winning percentage. This year's job will not only include replacing Karsyn Davis (13 points per game), Brooke Meylor (12 ppg), Madeline Rider (8 ppg), along with Alli Ferrell and Ivy Brown, but implementing an offense that caters to the needs of Essence Sanders (6.5 ppg) and Summer Sanders (5.8 ppg).
Also joining the mix will be Lauren McDaniel and Lydia Miller, both who missed last season due to injury.
All are seniors on Stewart's roster and are joined by classmates, Gabby Adams, Mya King and Lexi Williams.
Juniors are Molly Shires and Lauryn Gribble, along with sophomores, Riley Harrison, Jazmin Robinson, Stream Black, Vershay Guyton, Chelsea Davidson and Kailyn Moss.
Liza Wiggins, Emma Unthank and Emma Myers are freshman, currently on the junior varsity roster.
"I think we have a chance to be real good," Stewart said. "We have four or five people that haven't played a real varsity game in two years. I'm interested how they will react when it's time to go for real."
Stewart said this team plays well together, as evident in shootouts over the summer, and they share the ball, while running a clean offense.
"I think we can score out of all five spots," Stewart said. "On the flip side, this is a brand new team and we have so many kids that just haven't played in a real game together."
Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.
Harrisburg Girls' Basketball Schedule
11-19 at Gallatin Co. 6:15PM11-21 MT. VERNON 6:15PM
11-25 West Frankfort 7:30PM *
11-27 Carmi 6PM *
11-29 Anna-Jonesboro 7:30PM *
11-30 Eldorado 7:30PM *
12-3 at Frankfort 6:15PM
12-5 at DuQuoin 6:15PM
12-7 MARION 2PM
12-12 MURPHYSBORO 6:15PM
12-17 at Benton 6:15PM
12-19 at Massac Co. 6:15PM
12-21 Civic Memorial/Adidas Shootout 11:30AM
12-27 at Benton Tournament TBA
12-28 at Benton Tournament TBA
12-30 at Benton Tournament TBA
1-6 at Carmi-White Co. 6:15PM
1-9 at Herrin 6:15PM
1-13 at Meridian 6PM
1-18 at Lady Eagle Mid-Winter Classic TBA
1-20 at Lady Eagle Mid-Winter Classic TBA
1-21 at Lady Eagle Mid-Winter Classic TBA
1-22 at Lady Eagle Mid-Winter Classic TBA
1-23 at Lady Eagle Mid-Winter Classic TBA
1-24 at Lady Eagle Mid-Winter Classic TBA
1-28 MASSAC CO. 6:15 PM
1-30 BENTON 6:15 PM
2-3 at Murphysboro 6:15 PM
2-4 WEST FRANKFORT 6:15 PM
2-6 HERRIN 6:15 PM
* Harrisburg Invite
Harrisburg Girls' Basketball Roster
No. Name Hgt. Pos. Class
1 Riley Harrison 5-5 G So.
2 Jazmin Robinson 5-4 G So.
3 Stream Black 5-9 C So.
4 Molly Shires 5-4 F Jr.
5 Lauryn Gribble 5-11 F Jr.
10 Lydia Miller 6-0 C Sr.
11 Gabby Adams 5-7 F Sr.
12 Mya King 5-5 G Sr.
14 Vershay Guyton 5-5 F So.
20 Lauren McDaniel 5-11 C Sr.
21 Summer Sanders 5-6 G Sr.
22 Lexi Williams 5-6 G Sr.
23 Essence Sanders 5-5 G Sr.
24 Chelsea Davidson 5-8 G So.
33 Kailyn Moss 5-6 G So.
Head coach: Jake Stewart
Assistant Coaches: Jacob Morse, Brittany Hutchison, Aaron McRoy
