Scouting Elgin Academy Hilltoppers
Elgin Academy Hilltoppers
Last year: 10-16 (2-5 Independent School League)
Coach: Bill Rodriguez (2nd year, 10-16)
Top returning players: Senior Susie Cain (5-5, F-G); junior Kaitlyn Pearon (5-6, G); sophomores Lizzie Clements (5-9, F_C), Liz Huerta (5-4, G), Roma Hameed (5-7, F)
Key newcomers: Freshmen Alex Schafer (5-6, F), Isabella Perrelli (5-8, C)
Outlook: The Hilltoppers will be short on numbers and initially on varsity experience this season. “We have a young team which we expect to develop into competitive players throughout the season,” said Elgin Academy assistant coach Jill Thomas, who is a 2007 Larkin graduate. “We look forward to watching them transform into basketball players.” Fundamentals are being stressed in the early going. “We are entering the season with a lack of numbers, so our goal is to focus on improving the fundamentals of the game and to heighten our athletes’ skill level. We have been working on basic drills as a refresher and have been introducing new, intensive drills to keep the girls motivated.” Cain will be one of the team’s key players. Her younger sister, Rachel, transferred to another school.