Willard fights through low numbers

WILLARD — The bad news for Willard's girls basketball team is that there are only eight girls in the program. The somewhat good news for the Crimson Flashes is that six of those eight were letterwinners last year, including 5-foot-11 junior Reese Bedingfield, who led Willard at 11.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Her scoring was good for fourth-best in the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division, and for her efforts she received first-team honors. After an incredible run to the regional finals in volleyball, the Crimson Flashes got a little bit of a late start to the season, but Willard is ready to rock. Even if it just eight girls. "Our biggest strength is our length and ability to have girls who are versatile," second-year coach Alanna Bedingfield said. "This summer we were able to rotate people in without losing anything. It didn't matter who started or who was coming off the bench." Reese Bedingfield's 161 defensive rebounds was by far and away the top total in the league last season. She was the overall leading rebounder in the league. The lone graduate from last year was Makinley Schafer. She was the second-leading scoring for Willard at 6.8 points per game. "Makinley will be tough to replace," Bedingfield said. "She was long and athletic and provided great athleticism when she was on the court." But after her, there was a trio of girls that contributed points. Camryn Wiers (5.5 rebounds), a 5-11 junior guard, and 5-6 senior guard Caitlyn Weaver were each at 6.6 points per game while 5-9 junior forward Corrin Gettys was at 6 points a night. Weaver led the team last year with 26 3-pointers made and 3.4 assists per game. The other two returning letterwinners are 5-5 sophomore guard Emelia Tallman and 6-0 sophomore forward Leah Weiss. "They will be key to our success this season not only in what they provide and can do on the court, but more importantly what they can do to lead their team off the court as well," said Bedingfield of her daughter Reese, Weaver and Wiers. "Corrin, Emelia and Leah will be vital to our success. At one point or another during last year's season, each one of these girls started and I see it going that same direction this year." There are only two new players on the roster this season: 5-5 junior guard LaMya Hicks and 5-7 freshman guard Mya Stephens. "LaMya is new to our program this year. She is hungry to learn and loves the game of basketball and will be a strong asset to our team this season, especially defensively," Bedingfield said. "Mya is learning quickly. She works hard and adds some great athleticism to our roster. We are excited to see what both of them can do for us this season." Willard finished 12-11 overall last year and 6-4 in the SBC Bay Division. That was good for third place behind undefeated Margaretta and Port Clinton, which lost its top player to graduation. The Flashes averaged 46.4 points per game last year while allowing 46.2 points a night. Willard looks to be right at the top of the mix this season as well. "With the success of our volleyball team, we are short on time," Bedingfield said. "We are just getting our basketball legs back and working to install new concepts and review old ones. We are trying to overcome that by working to get in basketball shape and taking it one day at a time knowing that learning comes from making mistakes." While short on players, the talent is there for Willard. The Flashes may not be able to practice 5-on-5 without some help, but each player's role will be key this season. Willard will have to stay healthy throughout or risk even bigger issues. "Our goals this season are to push ourselves to work to our full potential with a positive attitude and get better every day," Bedingfield said. RosterNo. Name Pos. Ht. Yr.2 Camryn Wiers G 5-11 113 LaMya Hicks G 5-5 114 Reese Bedingfield F/G 5-11 1110 Caitlyn Weaver G 5-6 1212 Leah Weiss F 6-0 1013 Emelia Tallman G 5-5 1015 Corrin Gettys F 5-9 1120 Mya Stephens G 5-7 9