St. Ignace Saints Varsity Girls Basketball team includes Coach Dorene Ingalls, Kelsey Cryderman, Jenny Massaway, Krista LaVake, Ashley St. Louis, Stevie Gould, Peereeya Asawaniwed, Sarah Schafer, Jessica McGinnis, Sam Wyers, Joelle Sword, and Jodie Langstaff. Coach Dorene Ingalls, in her eighth season, will be facing a rebuilding process after losing five quality seniors who started throughout the season.

The Saints have won six league crowns, seven district titles, four regional championships, and four final four appearances that include two state titles, but this season the team will be built around four players with varsity experience and just two who started during the season last year.

"A lot depends on the health of the girls," said Coach Ingalls. "We have a couple of question marks and that will decide who we bring up from the junior varsity."

Senior guard Ashley St. Louis, the top female athlete at LaSalle High School (LHS) during her junior year, is in her fourth varsity season and will be expected to be one the leaders on this team.

Krista LaVake, senior guard, started at times during the 2004 season, with guard Jenny Massaway, who had her junior season cut short by an injury and is looking forward to her final season at LHS.

"Krista and Jenny have nagging injuries that will make them questionable for the start of the season," Coach Ingalls said.

Senior Sam Wyers (center) returns for her final season and first-year varsity players are juniors Kelsey Cryderman (guard/forward) Stevie Gould (guard), Jessica McGinnis (forward), and Sarah Schafer (forward) and sophomores Joelle Sword (center/forward) and Jodie Langstaff (forward).

One part of the game that won't change is the in-your-face pressure defense that will lift the fast break offense opportunities.

"Experience and height you can't coach, and that is big question mark. On the positive side, our speed and quickness is a big plus along with the strong work ethics," Coach Ingalls said.

The Saints open their season defending their title at the Petoskey Tourney along with the host Northmen, Harbor Springs, and Benzie Central. The remaining non-league schedule includes Escanaba, Cedarville, Pickford, and Gaylord, while SAC opponents include Newberry, Rudyard, Sault High, Cheboygan, and Rogers City.

ST. IGNACE SAINTS

Girls Basketball Schedule

(JV Games 6 p.m. unless noted)

August

30 at Petoskey Tourney (TBA)

September

1 at Petoskey Tourney (TBA)

6 Cedarville

8 at Rudyard

13 at Rogers City

15 Pickford

20 at Charlevoix

22 Sault Ste. Marie

27 at Manistique (5:45 p.m.)

29 at Cheboygan

October

4 at Newberry

6 Rudyard

11 Rogers City

13 at Pickford

18 Escanaba (5:30 p.m.)

20 at Sault Ste. Marie

25 Gaylord

November

1 at Cedarville

3 Newberry

10 Cheboygan

14-19 Districts

21-23 Regionals