Lady Blue Devils Balance Experience With Fresh Faces

Cordell’s Lady Blue Devils will have a new look when they take to the court this year, with just two returning seniors, but head coach Jana Rogers is confident the younger players will grow into their roles and help lead Cordell’s girls to another successful season.

In addition to seniors Kamdyn Davis and Makenzie Hougland, juniors Andrea Palmer, Evan Anderson, and Lacey Burch are returning to the Lady Devils line-up, although Burch’s status is still unknown due to an injury sustained during a pre-season scrimmage. The girls will also get a boost from returning sophomore Renee Javorsky, who picked up some quality minutes in last year’s run into the post-season.

Coach Rogers said her team is starting to come together, much like last year’s girls. She was pleased with the girls’ effort in the pre-season scrimmages, noting that a few of them started out rough, but that her girls “caught on later” in the outings and are starting to come together. She said the Lady Devils have worked hard and improved a great deal since the summer, and she’s hoping to carry that improvement into the season. Her goal is for her team to improve with each game and work their way into postseason play.

Joining Coach Rogers on the sidelines this year is Gabby Parsons, a Cordell alum who played for the coach during her high school days. Rogers describes her as a “very passionate” coach who knows the system and works well with the girls. Whitney Misak is also a new addition to Rogers’ coaching staff. Misak is mostly helping with the junior high team, adding that to her coaching duties with the junior high softball team.

“I’m lucky to have two good assistants,” Rogers said.

The girls tipped off their season against Merritt yesterday (complete coverage in next week’s Beacon), and will face Minco at home next Tuesday before travelling to Hobart Friday for a date with the Bearcats.