Solid core, young faces make Marquette girls a threat

One can’t blame Marquette girls basketball coach Eric Price for being a little uncertain of what he’ll have to work with this winter. He said himself, “there are plenty of new faces” to go along with a few familiar ones.

Despite the fact they have four returning starters from last season’s abbreviated 4-4 campaign, the Crusaders will again be plenty young, filling in much of the remainder of the squad with sophomores and even freshmen at times when game situations dictate.

Gone from that team via graduation are six seniors — most notable Lauren Rayburn, Addie McConnaughhay and Paige Cottingim — but returning are the top three scorers, top two rebounders and a point guard now in her fourth season on the varsity at that position.

“We have three seniors, one junior, five sophomores and 11 freshmen in the program this year. At a small schools like ours, it goes in spurts that way sometimes,” said Price. “It’s kind of unique to have four starters back, even though we didn’t play a ton of games last year with just eight of them, missing all of the last two weeks because of COVID, and we’re excited about [the returners].

“The fifth spot is up for grabs with four or five girls who are under the microscope each day. But whoever starts, the others will probably all see time on a regular basis. … It’s going to be interesting to see how this team meshes and grows.”

Point guard is all set with versatile and athletic Josie Eager. The 5-5 senior last season was a First Team Tri-County Conference choice after averaging 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.9 steals per contest.

“Really, having Josie back at point guard is like having a coach on the floor,” said Price. “Not only is she a very good ball-handler who’s grown a lot stronger physically each year she’s been in the program, but she brings a calming feeling to the team out there. The game’s not fast for her, so she shares that to make everyone comfortable on the floor.

“We expect big things from her and from all the girls we have back.”

Joining her in the starting lineup will be another senior in 5-5 Izzy Garkey, a solid rebounder, defender and improving shooter; and the squad’s lone junior, Eva McCallum, a perimeter-capable 5-10 post who was a Tri-County Third Team pick after averaging 7.9 points and 4.8 rebounds as a sophomore.

The fourth starter back is 5-8 sophomore Lilly Craig, a versatile performer who was first on the club in rebounds at 7.0 a game, second in scoring at 8.3 and was a Times ?Honorable Mention All-Area pick.

Vying for that fifth spot will be the third senior, 5-5 forward Kaitlyn Magoonaugh, a former Tri-County free-throw contest winner; 5-6 junior Darby Morganflash; and a letter-winning sophomore, 5-7 forward Jaylyn Clairmont.

Among the freshmen who should see varsity floor time are 5-10 center Avery Durdan, 5-7 forward Makayla Backos and 5-5 guard Chloe Larson.

“We’re not the biggest team height-wise,” Price said. “Avery and Eva are the tallest at 5-10 and no one else is over 5-8. … I think we have enough ball-handlers to get more transition baskets than we did last year, but you can’t run if you don’t rebound.

“The freshman class is pretty big, but at the same time it’s a pretty big jump from eighth grade to high school varsity basketball, the speed and the physicality of the game, but I think a couple of weeks in, after cutting our teeth a little bit and seeing what’s what, I think we can have some success. … Some of them have played varsity volleyball, so being around the older girls, seeing how they prepare and approach a game will help them, I’m sure. …

“It’s going to be fun.”