Having failed to make the 4A-II conference state playoffs last season, the Mingus Union High School girls basketball team has become more focused and this summer will be more important than ever.
“We didn’t lose a lot from last season; the core group has returned. I look forward to this month’s games,” Mingus Head Coach Micah Swenson said.
By the core group, Swenson means senior point guard Kayla Storie and guard Shallene Martinez to go along with junior guards Taylor Jochim and Desi Ortiz.
Junior Kaytee Blount is in the mix as well while sophomore Skyler Storie is another young guard showing promise.
In the front court is a pair of sophomore forwards in Sierra Roberts and Torrey Gillies, both of whom should provide leadership during the month of June.
Swenson, entering his second season as head coach of the Marauders, will look to do much better than his rookie campaign where the Marauders finished 6-13 overall last season.
The summer schedule is packed with games during June, giving the Marauders every chance to gel on their way to a good 2010-2011 season, which begins in November.
Over the next few Mondays, Mingus will play a rotating league night with Camp Verde High School, Sedona Red Rock High School, Coconino High School and Bradshaw Mountain High School.
This Monday, June 14, Mingus travels to Sedona to play the Scorpions at 5 p.m., then turn around and play Coconino at 6 p.m.
Coming Friday, June 11, and Saturday, June 12, is the High Desert Shootout at Bradshaw Mountain, then Wednesday, June 16, through Sunday,
June 20, is the Southwest Showdown at Raymond Kellis High School.
The Marauders will end their summer schedule with a trip to Raymond Kellis once again for the Desert Hoops Shootout which runs Wednesday, June 23, through Sunday, June 27.
“We’ll play some good teams this summer. It will be a measuring stick for us to see what we need to improve on for the coming season,” Swenson said.
