Triple Threat

Senior captains provide solid nucleus for Salem hoop squad

BY ED WRIGHT
Nov. 25, 2009, 12:30 p.m.

  Three players who have been there and done that will carry the hopes of the Salem girls basketball team on their shoulders this season.

  Senior captains Sara Stone, Brett de Bear and Rachel Norman -- all of whom already have at least two years of varsity experience on their impressive resumes entering this season -- will serve as the catalysts for a program that is looking to build on last season's solid 13-8 record.

  "As those three players go, that's how good we're going to be," said Salem coach Fred Thomann, who is entering his 45th year as a high school basketball mentor.

  "Sara might be as good of a player as there is in the area, maybe the state. She has an exceptional jump shot -- she's just an awesome offensive player. She can find the open player and she rebounds well, too.

  "Brett is a tenacious defender and an excellent distributor. Now, her offensive game is coming into play this year. She's going to be one of the players we look to for scoring.

  "Rachel has been our sixth player the past two years. Up until this year, she's gotten most of her minutes off the bench. Now, she's in the starting line-up. She had an outstanding summer scoring-wise, defensive-wise and rebounding-wise."

  Thomann said he likes the work ethic his team has displayed during pre-season scrimmages and practice sessions.

  "I like how hard this team plays," Thomann said. "They're really working hard, which is an important by-product of what we're trying to do.

  "I like this team's quickness, too. And I'm going to like our ability to make shots as we get into our season."

  Other than the three captains, the Rocks' starting line-up was still unsettled as of early this week. Junior Heidi Schmitt, Katelynn Krause and Alyssa Garbarino are in the running for one of the starting spots while senior Tabitha Mann and freshman Breanne Beaver are battling for the fifth starting slot.

  Providing solid depth will be senior Alyssa Silletti; and junior Lily Burnstein.

  Thomann said there is a clear-cut front-runner for the Kensington Lakes Activities Association title.

  "There's no question it's Canton," said Thomann. "They have everybody back from last season and they're really rolling right now.

  "There are a number of good teams in our division, including Northville, Novi, us and South Lyon."

  Salem opens the 2009-10 season Tuesday at home against Brighton. The opening tip is set for 7 p.m.



  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.