Portagers strive for improvement

By DYLAN SAVELA, Manistee News Advocate Sports Writer
Published: Thursday, November 12, 2009

ONEKAMA — Onekama coach Nathan Bradford’s goal closely coincides with that of his players. “For one, we want to have more wins than we had last year,” he said of his team’s upcoming season.

The Portagers’ 12 victories in 2008 can most likely be improved if they can accomplish what senior guard Katie Prielipp cited as a hopeful accomplishment. “We want to beat the teams we haven’t beat yet,” she said. “Some (we haven’t beat) at the varsity level, and some (we haven’t beat) throughout high school at all.”

Aside from winning more games, making a mark in the West Michigan D League and a successful postseason run are always hopeful blips on Onekama’s radar.

“There’s still going to be some pretty tough teams (in the conference),” Bradford said. “But obviously you always want to compete for a conference championship, and work towards districts too.”

In order to do so, Bradford cited a strong backcourt Onekama will hope to utilize. “Our guards should be pretty strong,” he said. “They’re pretty quick. We just have to concentrate on keeping our turnovers down.”

Like all teams, the natural ebb and flow of graduating players has effected Onekama. Losing four seniors from last year, three of which were starters, leaves a gap to fill for this year’s squad. However, Bradford is confident in their abilities to do so.

“We should be all right,” he said. “The girls have good attitudes and come to work hard. Our seniors are good leaders and good role models for the younger girls,” Bradford added of seniors Prielipp, Sherece Revolt and Diamond Kimpel.

Prielipp and Revolt are the Portagers’ returning starters and through new leadership roles will be expected to provide a spark.

Onekama’s Taylor Hagen (left) is expected to move into a starting role this season. (Matt Wenzel/News Advocate file photo)

“Preilipp was more of a passer last year, but we’re hoping to have her look to score more,” Bradford said. “Sherece had a good all-around year, and I expect her to come back and contribute the same way.”

The younger players will also play major contributing factors to the team’s success. Junior Taylor Hagen was an effective bench player on last year’s team, but now will contribute as a starter.

“I’m expecting more from Taylor Hagen in a starting role,” Bradford said. “Last year she was coming off the bench and this year, we’re going to have her make that transition.”

Despite their grade level, Hagen and sophomore Jennica Mathieu are coming equipped with varsity experience, each having played last year for the Portagers as underclassmen. “That’s a good thing — that year of experience. They won’t have that anxiety coming out,” Bradford said.

As new faces to the varsity level, juniors Brooke Sedelmaier and Ashley DeRooy round out the Portagers’ roster.

www.onekama.k12.mi.us Serving Onekama School since 1997