With a much younger roster coming into the 2022-23 season, the Lady Raiders are beginning to rebuild with senior Josie Aull leading the way.
Trinity (Whitesville) finished last season with an overall record of 13-12, having its season cut short by the first round of the 12th District Tournament. The Lady Raiders graduated four seniors, including their leading scorer and rebounder in Cassidy Morris (17.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg).
Aull will be the lone starter returning to Trinity, coming off a junior season in which she averaged 11.8 ppg and 2.9 rpg. Given her experience and the lack thereof on the roster, Head Coach Emily Hernandez will look for Aull to take on a bigger role at the point guard this season.
“Josie has been a varsity starter for 5 years and is a great shooter and a key ball handler for our team,” Hernandez said. “We know she will step up to lead this young team.”
The Lady Raiders will have some returning players to join Aull in sophomores Kenzie McDowell (4 ppg and 5.0 rpg), Sarah Payne (1.9 ppg and 2 rpg), Madison McDaniel (0.8 ppg and 0.3 rpg) and Emily McDaniel (0.3 ppg and 0.5 rpg).
“Top newcomers are Junior Kylie Hatfield and seventh graders Sophie Hatfield and Ella Morris,” Hernandez said. “These players will be able to help us rebound and score. All three are aggressive and want to compete. Keys to this team’s success will be all players working hard defensively and several players working into scoring roles.”
Hernandez said that many of these players are stepping into key roles and how quickly they adjust to their new roles and how much they improve will be key to their success.
