BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

LARNED — Aarika Bright, Kaitlyn Finger, Ally Aldrich and Haley Skelton are Larned’s fearsome foursome. They will be the Indians’ team leaders heading into the 2015-2016 basketball season.
“First of all they provide leadership,” said Larned coach Tricia Prescott. “In previous years, we have struggled with leadership and our upperclassmen are doing a great job leading in practice. We feel like everything is flowing better in practice giving us a sense of continuity.”
Prescott believes the experience will benefit the Indians, who were overmatched in most games last season. Turnovers were the biggest issue against strong defensive teams in the CKL.
“Our goal is to improve every practice and every game we play,” Prescott said. ”Our team will strive to be competitive every time we step on the floor.”
So far, the Indians have improved in practice and have maintained a positive attitude.
“Our outlook is positive and the team is progressing nicely,” Prescott said. “Our program is headed in the right direction with 10 freshman entering this year. We return some experience with three starters returning.”
Prescott said the guard-oriented Indians will be fairly quick on the perimeter. Playing against the taller physical teams in the CKL is a concern for rebounding.  
The Indians will play an aggressive style of defense.
““We want to play aggressive and we are stressing the communication aspect on the court defensively,” Prescott said.
The Indians endured a 3-18 season and 1-10 league record in the rugged Central Kansas League. Class 4A-Division 2 state champion Hugoton beat the Indians 55-24 in substate play. Larned will compete in the Class 3A Lakin substate this season.
“I had been told how good a basketball league it was and I am a believer,” said Prescott. “We enjoy being part of the league because of the level of competition. We continue to work hard to step up to the demands of our league.”
Prescott believes two-time state champion Hesston will be pushed at the top by Sterling, Haven and Smoky Valley.

LARNED INDIANS
Head coach—Tricia Prescott
2014-15 record—3-18 (1-10)

Roster
Aarika Bright, 5-8, sr.; Kaitlyn Finger, 5-9, sr.; Ally Aldrich, 5-6, jr.; Kelsey Parr, 5-6, jr.; Bailey Ritchie, 6-0, jr.; Haley Skelton, 5-6, jr.; Erin Smith, 5-7, jr.; Natalie Spain, 5-5, jr.; Alaccia Pascerarella, 5-5, jr.; Alyssa Clark, 5-8, so.; Brooke Butler, 5-5, fr.; Monica Clark, 5-7, fr.; Jillian Edgin, 5-7, fr.; Katie Fisher, 6-0, fr.; Macy Haas, 5-5, fr.; Alea Makings, 5-4, fr.; Ivory Muldrow, 5-5, fr.; Asia Murphy, 5-8, fr.; Baylea Perez, 5-5, fr.; Audrianna Bender, 5-6, fr.

SCHEDULE
12-4—at Pratt
12-7-12—KIOWA COUNTY, KEADY CLASSIC
12-10 to 12-12—KEADY CLASSIC
12-15—HUTCHINSON TRINITY
12-18—at Lyons
1-5—at Smoky Valley
1-8—HILLSBORO
1-12—LYONS
1-15—at Hesston
1-28-30—at Pratt Tournament
2-2—at Kingman
2-5—HALSTEAD
2-9—PRATT
2-12—at Sterling
2-16—NICKERSON
2-19—at Haven
2-23—at Hoisington
2-29 to 3-5—at Lakin 3A substate