Bobcats look for new leaders after state run

A big finish last season should have a lasting affect on this year's team, Delta coach Randy White says.

It's one of only a few guarantees for a team that ranks among one of White's youngest.

Delta graduated all five of its seniors -- four of them starters -- from a team that went 27-3 and finished third in the Class 1 state tournament. The confidence among this year's team is there, White says, but the chore may be filling key leadership roles.

"We're just trying to find players who have that right combination and the right balance to work as a group," White said. "Once we get a varsity roster set, everybody on it could see a lot of playing time. We just have to see."

Sarah Cook, a 5-foot-8 junior forward-guard, returns from last season's starting lineup. She also started as a freshman. Becky Rozmirsky also returns after seeing varsity playing time last season.

Ashley Elliott, Jessica Livingston, Crystal Burnett and Jenny Dannenmueller moved from the junior varsity team to varsity this year and should contend for starting spots, White said.

In all, 14 players will fill the JV and varsity roles, with some shifting from one to the other at times.

Last year's varsity team consisted of six players on most nights.

"I think success always brings more attention and participation to a program," White said, "and that's helped us. We'll have a few more players this year, but they'll be young ones.

"I've been in situations like this before where kids just don't have varsity experience. I'm confident these kids can play, but we have to see how well we mesh."

White said he's avoided adding to the pressure and makes a point to not mention last year's state final four trip during practice.

"I don't mention it. They know what happened," White said. "This is a whole new group. Every team takes on a different identity each year, and right now this one is looking for its identity. But after last year, they know now what's possible."