By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Facing the team that knocked you out of the playoffs would have most coaches and teams geared up for revenge. Especially when facing that team the first game of the season.
But Niles' girls' basketball head coach Jim Arnold said getting even with Richland Gull Lake in today's season opener isn't on his mind.
Instead, the Vikings' coach said his team must improve to a level where they can beat Gull Lake.
Doing better than last season is a tall order for Niles. Last year's team went 21-4, won the district for the seventh straight year and won the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference. The Vikings made it all the way to the regional finals before a 56-48 loss to Gull Lake ended their tournament run.
Returning seven varsity players, including three starters, gives Niles a good chance of repeating their success, however.
The Vikings return their starting forwards from a year ago. Junior Brandie Radde returns as the team's leading scorer from 2003, averaging 12 points per game last season. Sarah Dreher, also a junior, was Niles' leading rebounder.
Melissa Olsen, the 6-foot-2 senior center, also returns for Niles.
Even with the starters coming back, Arnold said he hasn't nailed down his starting lineup for tonight's game. With all the competition and talent on the team, the best five is always changing, he said.
Arnold said on Tuesday that, if he had to name a starting lineup right then, it would be the three frontcourt returners along with junior Megan Scamehorne and Amber Peters at the guards.
Defense and hard work are going to be focuses for Arnold this season, he said. So far, he said he has liked the effort his girls have put forth on the court.
Arnold said even if the Vikings don't repeat the success of last year, they will work hard and give everything they have trying to do so.
Hard work is vital, Arnold said, because this is a whole new year with all new challenges.