Despite the loss of the dominating play and leadership from Emmy Colin to graduation, the College Heights Christian girls basketball team has the expectations of continuing the program’s recent success with a shift in focus.
Colin, a four-year starter, averaged 17.2 points, 5.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game her senior season. That production is irreplaceable for any single Cougar this season, so College Heights is looking for the bevy of its returning experience to work as a cohesive unit to duplicate last season’s success.
“We certainly relied pretty heavily on her last year,” CHC coach John Blankenship said. “But I think we are going to be really balanced this year. I think we will have four of five kids who can get into double-digit (scoring) every game if they play well. So, I think it is going to be more of a team effort and not relying on just one individual this year.”
Leadership will be important this year as the Cougars transition to a team-oriented style of play. College Heights has four seniors on the roster who will be in charge of that shift in mentality—Kaynahn Burk, Grace Bishop, Lainey Lett and Catie Secker.
“It will really be vital,” Blankenship said. “They will give us the consistency we need. They know my program. They know what we need to do. They work hard and set the tone for the underclassmen every day in practice. They just know what the expectations are, and they go out and meet them every day. I think that senior leadership will play a key part in bringing along our underclassmen as well.”
The projected starting five for the Cougars this season is Kaynahn Burk, sophomore Klohe Burk, Bishop, Lett and Secker. Though, sophomore Jayli Johnson may also see a starting role at some point, opening the season with heavy minutes as the sixth man.
“I think our top six kids can compete against anybody,” Blankenship said. “They play really well together and have played together for a couple years, the seniors for four years, so they know how to play off of each other. Our team unity is really good.”
Though the offensive production may be coming from different players this season, the Cougars will still have the same team traits the program is known for—speed and press defense.
“We plan on getting up and down the floor this year with a lot of defensive pressure and transition game,” Blankenship said. “I am hoping we play eight or nine deep. Some of our younger kids are going to have to step up and give us some good minutes.”
Repeating last year’s success will be no easy feat. College Heights finished the season with a 26-2 record and a district title. With the strength of his first six players and the potential from his underclassmen, Blankenship feels that as long as the Cougars show the same work ethic and mentality, it is certainly possible to duplicate the success from a year ago.
“I think it is going to take the same concepts we implemented last year,” Blankenship said. “It starts in practice, just showing up every day mentally ready to practice hard and take every drill seriously. If they do that, with their athleticism, that skill will come along and we will develop quickly. I think we have a chance to do really well again this year.”
