Experience, core of young players will determine Westfield girls basketball’s success
WESTFIELD, Ind. — Since her first season in 2015, Westfield girls’ basketball head coach Ginny Smith’s teams have endured only one losing season under her tenure. The Lady Rocks have established a strong foundation the past six seasons, accumulating 80 plus wins with a win percentage above 60 percent. Smith talked about the culture of her team heading into the season.
“It’s fun to go down there, it’s fun to be around them, they are funny, corky, goofy and I think even in times that are serious, you can still look around at some of them and there will be a lightness to them because their kids,” said Smith. “I think we’re in a really good place, we’ve got a great group of seniors that have provided good leadership to some of the younger kids in terms of expectations, culture and just how we do things in general. “
Westfield will look to have another successful season, but unfortunately, they took a tough loss in the home opener, Tuesday night against North Central 65-49. Although they dropped game one, this might’ve given the team an indication on what to build and what to improve upon.
A major part of emphasis in the offseason that the team will have to work through is a new offensive scheme. Smith said the staff focused lots of energy towards a new offensive game plan, not as much defensively but her team will have time to build a strong defensive squad as the year goes on.
When it comes to successful game plans and schemes a major part of that is determined by the players executing them and Westfield seems to have a solid roster. Smith talked about certain players that will be vital this year.
“Chesney Tebbe will be one of those kids, she’s one of the seniors on the team who has started for us and provides good leadership and productivity. Between her and two other returning seniors, who gave us good production, Olivia Robey and Alyssa Crockett, those three kids predominantly gave us good numbers,” said Smith. “So, I would expect that we would get at least the same numbers from them last year, there we’re areas where each of them could’ve improved some, so I’m hoping that has occurred.”
This trio of Crockett, Tebbe and Robey all led Westfield in scoring last season and each of them finished within the top 20 in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference (HCC) as well. Crockett led the way with 17.2 points per game, the sixth highest scorer in the HCC, Tebbe added 7.9 points per game, 18th highest and Robey just a touch under that at 7.4 points per game, 19th highest. Crockett also led the team in rebounds and assists in 2020 with 7.6 and 2.6 respectively, Robey led the way in the steals department with two per contest. Tebbe talked about this finale season for her and her senior teammates.
“I am really excited for the season, it is my senior year so this is it, this is all you have and so all the seniors said at the beginning, this is all we have so we’re going to make the most of it that we can,” said Tebbe. “My favorite part about this team is just the culture, we’ve been playing together since third grade and when you have good relationships off the court I believe that helps you have better relationships on the court as well.”
Smith aside from the senior leaders is confident in the freshmen that will be in the rotation and just the younger players overall. She’s specifically looking forward to seeing the steps forward that sophomore Ella Kelleher after her great summer practices and junior Emmrey Collinsworth can both take this season.
Westfield will be on the road for six of their first 10 regular season games, so they will certainly be tested but have a strong set of seniors with a nice complement of younger players ready for the road ahead. Smith entering year seven at the helm, likes the current status of the Lady Rocks and seems to be as passionate as ever before.
“I love basketball I always have, it’s been my outlet I felt like it was the one thing I was successful at as a kid and can thrive and grow, “said Smith. “It provides opportunities for kids sports in general do but for me basketball provides opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be there.”
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