Peters takes reins after Grim's reign

Renee Peters has some big shoes to fill as the new Notre Dame girls basketball coach, replacing Jerry Grim, who led the Bulldogs to more than 440 wins in 25 years.

She'll enter her first year at the helm with a relatively new group of players as four starters graduated from last year's team, which lost to Farmington in the sectional round of the Class 4 state tournament. Kristain Burger, the Southeast Missourian's 2006-07 player of the year, was among the graduates.

"I know we lost some scorers and rebounders, but these girls can score when given the opportunity," Peters said. "We've aligned the offense, hopefully, around that -- pushing the ball up the floor, the transition game. We've shot a lot and we'll continue to work on our outside game.

Peters said she also likely will be without Burger's cousin, junior guard Paris Burger, who tore her ACL over the summer and missed the softball season as well.

"At this point, I am not going to comment on that," Peters said. "We're progressing as though she will not be with the team. We have to plan accordingly without Paris at this point."

Notre Dame center Claudia Brauss draws a foul from a throng of Fredicktown arms during Notre Dame's District 5 Tournament Final win at Sikeston Field House on Friday, Feb. 23, 2007. (Kit Doyle)

The offense could take a hit as Kristain Burger averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds per game.

Peters will look to the only starter returning from last year, forward Paige Schumer, to help make up for the lost offense.

"She is a leader on the court and she does the little things well," Peters said. "I don't know if she'll be our leading rebounder and scorer every game, but she's going to position herself, get the rebound and the key deflections and passes we need. She's got good senior leadership on the court for us."

Emily Brumitt will likely play small forward/guard. Peters said Brumitt played AAU basketball this summer and has improved since last spring. "She gives herself excellent playing position," Peters said. "She's physical and she's not afraid to go hard after a ball on the floor or box out someone much bigger than she is. She's gained a lot of strength."

Amanda Pleimann and Erika Reinagel will rotate in at point guard in the absence of Paris Burger. Pleimann will also play shooting guard at times.

Notre Dame's Paige Schumer is the lone returning starter from last year's district championship team. (Fred Lynch)

"With Paris not being at the point, Amanda and Erika are going to have to step up and take that role," Peters said. "I'll probably rotate those two in and out quite a bit together."

Peters said she does not want to make any predictions and that one of her goals is to continue the program's winning tradition.

"Our strengths in our game will be our team play, our team work, our transition game, pushing the ball up and down the court, looking for each other and a lot of unselfish play," Peters said. "Give and gos, a lot of passing inside and out. It's not going to be a big secret."