Pictured are (front row from left) Bri Berberet, Kynisha Dean, Heidi Schmidt, Kyla Kavulich, (back row from left) assistant coach Bill Mair, Katie Heitmeyer, Jennifer First, Hannah Nowaske, Breanne Beaver, Katelynn Krause and head coach Fred Thomann.

Rocks hope to make up for lack
of experience with height, hustle

  The Salem girls basketball team's "Senior Night" ceremony will be short and sweet this season.

  The reason: The Rocks' roster includes just one senior -- sweet-shooting guard Heidi Schmidt.

  Although Hall of Fame head coach Fred Thomann's roster is short on experienced players, the Rocks should pose a challenge for most teams on its roster thanks to an abundance of height and hustle.

  "I think we're going to be very aggressive defensively and we're pretty tall," Schmidt said, when asked what she likes about this year's team.

  Schmidt is the lone returning starter from a squad that went 13-8 last year. Two of the graduated starters from last season are playing college basketball: Sara Stone plays for Eastern Michigan University while Brett deBear is a freshman on Albion's squad.

  "We're a one-senior team, but we're pretty solid in four of the five starting spots," said Thomann. "Heidi is a solid, solid player who understands how hard you have to play to be successful. She's a very-skilled shooter and ball-handler."

  Joining Schmidt in the starting three-guard set will be junior Katelynn Krause, who gained valuable starting experience last season as a sophomore; and junior Bri Berberet, the leading scorer on last season's junior-varsity squad.

  "Katelynn is left-handed and an excellent defender," said Thomann. "She handles the ball very well against pressure.

  "Bri is a terrific shooter with great range. She has to work on her defense."

  The Rocks' No. 1 inside threat is sophomore Breanne Beaver, who saw considerable minutes off the bench as a freshman.

  "Breanne is a terrific athlete," said Thomann. "She's a strong, physical player who jumps well. She's our best rebounder and one of our best communicators. She's going to have to be one of our top inside defenders, too."

  Junior Jennifer First is expected to play a significant role in the Rocks' fortunes this winter, Thomann added.

  "Jennifer is strong and is a good defender," Thomann said. "She's starting to pick up how hard you have to play inside."

  The Rocks' reserve unit consists of all first-year varsity players who combine skill with potential: juniors Katie Heitmeyer and Kynisha Dean; and freshmen Hannah Nowaske and Kayla Kavulich.

  "Katie's just a really good all-around player," Thomann said. "Kynisha is very athletic, very quick and a good defender.

  "Kayla is very energized. She plays hard and can handle the ball. She is going to be a very good player by the time she is a senior. Hannah is athletic and she can run. Like Kayla, she's going to be a very good player in the near future."

  The Rocks' pre-league slate is anything but soft. They open Friday night at Farmington Hills Mercy before taking on Ann Arbor Huron, Brighton and Dearborn Divine Child.

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

Heidi Schmidt fires up a jumper as Kayla Kavulich accepts a pass. (Ed Wright photo)