Alpena girls set high expectations for season
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ALPENA -- As the 2023-24 season approaches, the Alpena High School girls basketball team has set high expectations for themselves coming off a lackluster year last year.
Returning several key players, such as Reese Wisniewski, Avery Dubey, Kiera Prue, Faith Dragiewicz, Reaghan Fitzpatrick, and Lindsey Rondeau, the team will come into the season with lots of previous team chemistry.
A few others will join the team for the first time, including Irene Moreno, Natalie Maychen, Isabelle Liske, and Madi Meyer.
Aside from the loss of just two seniors, nearly the entire previous year's team is returning, providing Alpena coach Laura Dubey with a group she's familiar with coaching.
"One of the best things about our team this year is our ability to play off each other and understand what our teammates are capable of," Laura Dubey said.
"These girls have played together for a long time, and I think we know exactly how to push ourselves to be the best we can be."
Alpena kicks off its season at home, taking on Oscoda, where the team plans to get off to a good start through its defense.
After last season, the Wildcats' zone defense improved drastically. With even more depth and quickness this year, confidence is high in the team's defense.
"Defense is something we've been working on in practice, and I think it is the best thing we do," Wisniewski said. "Our zone defense was really good last year, and that should continue this year. We're still working on our man and trapping in the corners, but I think we'll be ready by the start of the season"
Just two years ago, Alpena won the district before falling short in regionals.
The Wildcats come into this year expecting a similar season, with hopes of competing to win the Big North Conference and redeeming themselves in regionals.
Wisniewski and Avery Dubey have been on that stage before, so getting back during their senior years is the goal for both players.
"Almost every one of these girls has experienced varsity basketball and how tough the BNC is," Coach Dubey said. "We sat down and talked about our goals as a team this year, and we're ready to go and try to win the BNC and make it back to districts like we were."
While the players and coaches have praised Alpena's defense, the offense is also very talented.
Many points scored by the Wildcats came through the paint, between the height of Fitzpatrick and Prue, which Coach Dubey expects to continue.
Dominant play down low and excellent guards in Wisniewski, Dragiewicz, and Maychen should form a great scoring offense.
Outside the arc, Alpena should also hold its own against other teams. Avery Dubey and Wisniewski have developed into positive three-point shooters, and development coming from other returning players should help fill in the remaining attempts.
"I think, as an offense, we finish inside well, and we're good at playing to our size advantage," Prue said. "We've also been able to swing the ball out to our shooters, which I think will make our offense really efficient."
Alpena plays Oscoda Tuesday.