Cory Green wrote
"The girl's basketball team has opened up its season with three big wins. The first was November 22nd, over Olympus, 54-38. The second was last Tuesday, over Payson, 54-23. The third was against Snow Canyon, 49-42. In all three games, the team played stellar defense, holding their opponents to single digit scoring in almost every quarter of each game. In addition to a great defensive effort thus far, the girls have been playing very well as a team on the offensive end, with balanced scoring and many different players stepping up throughout the course of each game. This 3-0 start sets the stage for a very important game this Tuesday evening against Lehi." .
The Daily Herald also wrote:
In just its second year of competition, the 2010-11 Maple Mountain girls basketball team reached the 4A semifinals last February.
And if this isn't remarkable enough, there wasn't one single senior on that roster.
With all these returning players, head coach Cory Green understandably has high hopes and expectations for his 2011-12 squad.
"We hope to realize our full potential this year, compete for a region title, and have a good showing in the state tournament in February," Green said.
The Golden Eagles certainly have both the tools and experience to compete for the gold trophy.
"We have a lot of depth and experience returning this season," Green said. "We are returning eight players who are three-year varsity starters and contributors.
"Additionally, we feel like we have a lot of athleticism to go along with that depth and experience. We play solid defense, which will hopefully pay dividends this season."
The only thing that might ultimately slow down Maple Mountain is itself.
"Honestly, our main area of concern is complacency. We need to continue to work to improve. We don't want to be satisfied with past accomplishments and success," Green said.
"It is a new season, with new challenges and new opponents. Also, we hope to keep everyone healthy throughout the season, which is a concern to all coaches and all teams, I am sure."
As the Golden Eagles go into the season, they will be fielding Aleksa Gappmayer, Breanna Bate, Baylee Nielsen, Sadie Williams, Jayci Peay, Wesli Peay, Kelsey Lewis, and Kara Betts.
All eight of these players saw significant play last season, when the Golden Eagles came within one game of the championship finals.
Gappmayer was the Golden Eagles' top scorer last season as a sophomore.
"She does a nice job of attacking the basket and she has a nice outside shot," Green said.
Nielsen and Williams were the top rebounders and Green expects them to have good seasons again.
The Peay sisters, Jayci and Wesli, are top defenders for Maple Mountain and led the team in steals last year.
Green expects Lewis to be another top offensive threat, while Betts gives the Golden Eagles a strong presence in the post.
Green is further excited about the return of Bate, who will lead the team from her point guard position. Bate suffered a knee injury last year.
"She (Bate) really worked hard to rehab her injury and improve herself as a player and we are really excited to have her back," Green said.
Green figures that Region 8 will provide plenty of excellent competition for his Golden Eagle squad.
"I feel that our new region will be very competitive and challenging," Green said. "Early on, I look for Salem Hills, Timpanogos, and Mountain View to come out of the gates tough, but really anyone in our region could explode for a good run. There is a lot of basketball talent in Utah County."
As Maple Mountain enters the 2011-12 campaign, Green both reflected on the path his team took to get to this point as well as the possible golden journey that lies ahead.
"We essentially have our first graduating class of seniors after three years of hard work, competition and preparation.
"They are a very close-knit group at this point. I think the overall attitude is to really try to enjoy the ride this season, and just see how far this will take us," the coach concluded.
Read more: http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/high-school/basketball/mm-girls-preview-golden-eagles-return-experience-talent/article_80ce4bc4-0538-560f-938d-f24643594517.html#ixzz1for1GVFy
http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/high-school/basketball/mm-girls-preview-golden-eagles-return-experience-talent/article_80ce4bc4-0538-560f-938d-f24643594517.html
The team includes:
Alena Theade C Jr. 6-0
5 Kelsey Lewis G Sr. 5-10
12 Baylee Nielsen C Sr. 5-10
13 Jessica Roundy G Sr. 5-6
14 Katie Muhlestein G Jr. 5-7
15 Aleksa Gappmayer G Jr. 5-7
20 Jayci Peay G Sr. 5-9
21 Wesli Peay G Sr. 5-8
22 Mickell Hamilton G Jr. 5-6
23 Breanna Bate G Sr. 5-5
25 Rachel Mitchell C Jr. 5-10
30 Lexie Ball F Jr. 5-10
32 Sadie Williams F Sr. 5-9
33 Kara Betts C Sr. 5-10
44 Kristen King
