Relying on new blood

Coming off a state tournament berth and a second-place league finish last season, the Douglas High girls basketball team is not a stranger to success.

However, relying on talent coming up through the ranks will be a must if the Tigers want to show they’re capable of making it into the state’s final four.

Douglas is 0-2 after losses to Reno (53-36) and Lowry (64-47), but those were tough tests for the Tigers to open the season.

The Huskies featured returning Class 5A player of the year in Adia Walker while Lowry won the Class 3A state title last season.

“We played in waves,” said Douglas head coach Jason Carter after the loss to Reno on Tuesday.

Finding new fits

The Tigers, who return one all-region player from last season in Addy Doerr, will be without another as senior Camden Miller will be out all winter with a knee injury suffered playing soccer in the fall.

“You can’t replace a Cam Miller. She can play one through five. It’s not just what she brings scoring wise, but all the other leadership qualities that she brought to the team as well,” said Carter. “I’m looking at the seniors to really step up and fill those gaps. To be those vocal people who help bring us along.”

Doerr led the team in scoring last season, posting 10 points per contest while grabbing six rebounds and almost two steals per contest.

Miller was second in points per game last season, but led the Tigers in rebounds, assists and steals.

Coming back into the fold for Douglas will be juniors Zora Simpson and Aleeah Weaver.

Simpson, who averaged four points, two rebounds and two assists per contest, will likely be the team’s mainstay at point guard.

Weaver tallied four points and four rebounds on average last season and will see her playing time grow this winter as well.

Ashlyn Greenfield, Abigail Girdner, McKenzie Main, Gabi Wallace, Ella Girdner and Sky Rasmussen — among others — will see plenty of time rotating into guard or forward roles.

Douglas will look inside-out this season, relying on its post players to get the ball and then dictate the play based on how the defense responds.

On the block, Doerr, Talia Tretton, Riley Hoffman and Malia De Leon have already seen minutes inside.

Getting some of the less experienced players up to the speed of varsity will be important for Douglas to run with some of its talented opponents in the Class 5A North.

“For them to see that different speed on the floor, that’s tough to emulate just in practice,” said Carter.

Bishop Manogue remains the region favorite after winning the Class 5A North crown last year over Douglas.

Carter expects Reno, Damonte Ranch and possibly Spanish Springs to challenge for the top spot as well.

(Douglas High’s Talia Tretton stretches for a loose ball in the Tigers’ first game of the season Tuesday against Reno. Tretton had two field goals. / Ron Harpin)

Schedule

Today – Tournament vs. Spring Creek, 8 a.m.

Today – Tournament vs. Fernley, 11 a.m.

Dec. 6 – vs. Damonte Ranch, 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 9 – vs. Grants Pass, 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 15 – at Reed, 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 22 – vs. McQueen, 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 5 – vs. Bishop Manogue, 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 7 – at Spanish Springs, 12:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 – vs. Galena, 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 13 – at Carson, 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 17 – at Reno, 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 20 – at Damonte Ranch, 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 24 – vs. Reed, 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 28 – at McQueen, 12:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 – at Bishop Manogue, 5:15 p.m.

Feb. 3 – vs. Spanish Springs, 5:15 p.m.

Feb. 7 – at Galena, 5:15 p.m.

Feb. 10 – vs. Carson, 5:15 p.m.

Varsity roster

Gabrielle Wallace, Sr.; Abigail Girdner, Sr.; McKenzie Main, Jr.; Addy Doerr, Sr.; Talia Tretton, Jr.; Ashlyn Greenfield, So.; Logan Karwoski, Jr.; Aleeah Weaver, Jr.; Camden Miller, Sr.; Skylyn Rasmussen, Jr.; Riley Hoffman, Sr.; Zora Simpson, Jr.; Breanna Williams, Sr.; Ella Girdner, So.; Malia De leon, Jr.