ROCHELLE — Last year’s basketball resurgence in Rochelle didn’t revolve around just the boys basketball team.

The Lady Hubs recorded one of their more successful seasons in recent history, winning 11 games while locking down a postseason victory over Harvard in the regional quarterfinals at Rockford Lutheran. With tryouts and practice beginning this week, head coach Tony Rowan is eager to get back to work with his players.

“The girls are hungry,” Rowan said. “It’s really fun to see them compete. They did a very good job during the summer and it’s nice to have all the girls back in the gym for the start of the season.”
Several seniors are returning from the 2016 roster including Jacie Wyatt, Morgan Baker and Cesca Vardman. Wyatt and Baker each started for the Lady Hubs last season, while Vardman could jump into the starting lineup after coming off the bench last year.

“I’m looking for a lot of leadership from them,” Rowan said. “Those girls have three years of varsity experience and they know what to expect on the court and in the locker room. They’re going to help lead these kids who are brand new to varsity and I’m hoping for great things from all of them.”

Junior Abby Lundquist also returns to the Lady Hubs after earning First-Team All-Conference honors in the Northern Illinois Big 12 last season. Lundquist led Rochelle in scoring, and Rowan said he’ll be looking for the third-year varsity athlete to emerge as both a leader and a playmaker.

“It doesn’t have to be giant steps, but baby steps throughout the season,” Rowan said. “She averaged about 15 to 16 points per game last year and we’re looking for about a 5-point jump from her this year. She had a phenomenal summer in terms of shooting and scoring, and now it’s about her stepping up as a vocal leader.”

Rochelle will tip off its season at the Forreston Thanksgiving Tournament beginning Thursday, Nov. 16. The Lady Hubs will be looking to replace five seniors who graduated last year’s team including Abby Kerns, Kellee Parker, Christina Payton, Caylee Turner and Haley Rawles. Juniors Mya Latta and Emilee Dueringer are two players Rowan said could fill key roles for the Lady Hubs this winter.

“Those girls did a pretty good job over the summer,” Rowan said. “We’re not going to ask them to score too much, but playing defense, rebounding and doing the little things on the floor to contribute any way they can is going to be a huge plus.”