11/7/2009 12:01:00 AM NORTH MONTGOMERY GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Chargers adjust to their new coach Ken Hampton takes over the North Montgomery reigns
The Paper photo by Lori Poteet
North Montgomery’s girls basketball team will try to improve on an 10-11 record from last year under new coach Ken Hampton.
North Montgomery girls basketball schedule
Date Opponent Time
Saturday, Nov. 14 Attica 12:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20 Girls Sugar Creek Classic
(at North Montgomery)
Crawfordsville vs. Southmont 6 p.m.
Western Boone vs. North Montgomery 7:45 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21 Girls Sugar Creek Classic 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 24 Fountain Central 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 1 Benton Central 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 3 at Covington 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5 at Frankfort* 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 9 at Lafayette Central Catholic 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 11 at Tri-West 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 15 West Lafayette 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 18 at Crawfordsville* 6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 2 Super Hoops New Year's Classic
vs. Fishers (at Mackey Arena) 8:45 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 7 at Southmont* 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 15 Danville* 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 19 Cascade 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 22 at Lebanon* 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 26 Seeger 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 29 Western Boone* 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 2 McCutcheon 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 4 at Turkey Run 7:30 p.m.
* = Sagamore Athletic Conference game
North Montgomery roster
No. Name Yr. Ht . Pos.
20 Katie McIntyre So. 5-6 G
21 Kelsi Byrd Fr. 5-8 G
22 Kathryn Webster Fr. 5-8 G
23 Becka Myers Fr. 5-7 F
24 Whitney Hutson Sr. 5-7 G
25 Tori Bowerman Sr. 5-9 G
31 Dakota Bacon So. 5-7 G
32 Katelyn Stump Fr. 5-10 F
33 Sami Jo Byrd Jr. 5-9 F
35 Nicole Kingma Sr. 5-11 F/C
40 Audrey Seiferman Jr. 5-10 F/C
55 Shannon Joyce Sr. 5-9 F/C
Coach: Ken Hampton
By Bob Cox bcox@thepaper24-7.com
LINDEN - A new era begins at North Montgomery where veteran coach Ken Hampton takes over the Charger girls basketball program reigns. And, even though some things are new, Hampton says some things never change.
"Winning county, conference and the sectional are always goals and utmost in my mind," Hampton said. "Anytime you play Indiana basketball, you want to cut down the nets."
Hampton, who had been the Chargers boys' junior varsity coach for eight years, said he is excited to become the head coach of a program that has had past success. The job opened up after last season when Allison Skapin resigned and moved to Colorado.
"When the opportunity came up to be in charge of my own program and team I knew I wanted the job," Hampton said. "I knew we had several girls back from last year's team and I knew the cupboard wasn't bare."
Some of those players he'll count on include returning senior letter-winners point guard Tori Bowerman and guard/forward Whitney Hutson, along with junior center Nicole Kingma (who's returning from a torn left ACL she suffered during volleyball season).
Hutson said the transition to a new coach has not been the easiest but she believes things will smooth out as the season progresses.
"Coach Hampton is a change for us," Hutson said. "But we are adjusting and I think all the players and coaches will blend together pretty quickly. Practices are harder and faster and we will definitely be in good shape."
North Montgomery finished 10-11 last year (1-6 in Sagamore Athletic Conference play), falling in the Indiana High School Athletic Association Western Boone Sectional semifinals to county- and conference rival Crawfordsville.
It marked the Chargers' first losing season since 2001-02.
Although Hampton admitted his players have plenty to learn, he sees a desire within the team to get better as they learn a whole new way of doing things.
Hampton said he sees the team wanting to return to the days when North Montgomery won four straight sectional championships from 2003 to 2007.
"We are running a motion offense and that is new to the girls," Hampton said. "The girls are learning a new lingo and a new system but their attitude has been great. These girls want to win right away. The girls are working hard and I am pleased with their attitude."
Hampton will have a young line-up to work with. Bowerman and Kingma are North Montgomery's only two returning starters.
Other players expected to contribute on the varsity are senior Shannon Joyce and juniors Sami Byrd and Audrey Seiferman.
Sophomores Dakota Bacon and Katie McIntyre should provide depth in the backcourt.
Two freshmen, Kelsi Byrd and Kathryn Webster, should see also see quality playing time.
North Montgomery opens the season Nov. 14 at Attica before taking on Western Boone in the Girls Sugar Creek Classic semifinals on Nov. 20.
The Chargers start the season with five straight home games, including two in the Girls Sugar Creek Classic. They'll also play Fountain Central and Benton Central at home during that stretch.
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