The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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November 20, 2012

McAuley girls hope to stay healthy this season

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer

The McAuley Catholic girls basketball team opens the season tonight with a roster of nine players.

And second-year coach Greg Wilks is pleased with that turnout.

“We’re going to have a bench,” Wilks said Monday.

Wilks recalled the Warriors finishing last season with five players.

“We had two knee surgeries, a concussion, a broken arm and an abdominal strain,” Wilks said. “I’ve coached more than 30 years. I never before had that many injuries.”

Wilks, who’s assisted by Butch Mulvaney, is cheered by having 5-foot-10 senior Victoria Foley for the entire season.

Foley, southpaw who transferred from Seneca, played the last five games last season with the Warriors and had games of 8, 29, 11, 26 and 17.

Kambry Wagner (5-8) and Foley are the only seniors this season.

Other veterans from last season for the Warriors, who debut tonight at approximately 7:30 at Liberal, are 5-7 junior Megan Price, 5-9 junior Abby Pekarek, 5-7 sophomore Katie Carr, 5-6 sophomore Gabby Moore, 5-7 sophomore Mercedes Womack and 5-10 junior Kathryn Wiseman.

Freshman Katie Mieseler completes the McAuley roster.

“I’m not sure about the starters against Liberal,” Wilks said. “We’ve had several players with flu symptoms and sore throats.

“I feel much better about this season,” Wilks said., “Still, we’re a long way from where we want to be. Hopefully, by January, we’ll be playing well. Several of our kids are playing harder and smarter.

“Playing good defense (a man-to-man) is our No. 1 concern,” Wilks said. “Scoring and rebounding are other concerns. We’d like to get out and do some running with the ball.

“There’s no question we’ll be improved,” Wilks said. “I’m just not sure how much improvement we’ll show.”

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