Carson High girls basketball small but optimistic

There’s a sense of a new-found confidence that at least is developing with the Carson High girls basketball team.

“Cautiously optimistic,” said Carson coach Doug Whisler about the outlook for this year’s team. “We’re optimistic it’s going to be better than last year.”

After missing the Northern 4A playoffs last season, the obvious goal for the Senators is to make the postseason this year. With a strong nucleus returning from last year and a couple of welcome additions, Carson can be optimistic about the prospects for this season.

Carson returns seven players from last season in Abby Golik, Annika Wick, Lily Bouza, Nacy Alvarez, Trinity Beard, Bella Kordonowy and Tasia Boice and they all figure to make a significant contribution this season.

The Senators will be a small team. “We have a lot of guards,” Whisler said. “We don’t have a lot of size. We’ll have to play small ball.”

And with a small team, Carson will obviously have to hold its own with bigger teams on the boards. “I feel we’re going to have to really box out,” Whisler said.

The return of Bella Kordonowy, who was Carson’s leading rebounder last year, will be key. Kordonowy missed the last half of last season with a knee injury.

“We’re hoping to have her back mid-December but it’s not a for-sure thing,” Whisler said. “She makes a huge difference.”

Carson does return its starting point guard in Lily Bouza, who’s the only player guaranteed a starting spot right now, Whisler said. But with Carson’s depth, it’s not so much who starts, but who finishes, he added. “I’ve been kind of messing around with the lineup,” he said.

But one player who will likely be in the starting lineup is senior Abby Pradere, a welcome addition to the team. Pradere, an outstanding volleyball player and state track champion, will certainly give the Senators a lift.

“She’s a great athlete,” Whisler said. “She’s doing a lot of good things out on the floor.”

Another welcome addition is junior Camryn Quilling, an outstanding athlete and softball player. Among the returning players who saw considerable time on the floor last year are Annika Wick and sophomores Golik and Alvarez.

Two other players who could see considerable playing time are sophomore Camille Kordonowy and freshman Kaylee Garcia. Rounding out the roster for Carson are Emma McCoy and Madison Rabideau.

Carson opens the season Saturday against Mira Loma in Sacramento.