(Oakland, IA) — Riverside girls basketball will have a new coach coming into this season — Mark Jeppesen takes over a Bulldogs team that went 11-11 a year ago, but that was the first time since 2008-09 that they were .500 or better.
The starters are far from set — there were 9 players a year ago who started at least one game and Jeppesen says things are wide open coming into this season. Senior Sophia Taylor (7.0 ppg) is the leading returning scorer plus Sydney Somers (6.7 ppg), Kayden Schnack (5.6 ppg), Adaline Martens (4.9 ppg) will all be in the mix along with new players Carly Miller and Riley Ewoldt. Ayla Richardson is also coming out for basketball this year and Jeppesen says she and Taylor should provide some leadership
With the number of players available for a rotation, Jeppesen believes that the Bulldogs can achieve offensive balance
Early in practice, the goal is to work hard and get in shape — Jeppesen would like move the tempo of the game upward with a variety of pressing defenses
Overall, the Riverside volleyball team has established a winning tradition and Jeppesen hopes that will translate to the basketball team. He believes there will be strength in numbers
Riverside opens their season on Friday, November 22 hosting Essex.
