PREP BASKETBALL 2016: Other sports contribute stars to SV girls team

Some familiar faces on the St. Vincent girls athletic scene will join the ranks of returning veterans as the Lady Mustang basketball team gears for another hopeful season in 2016-17 under second-year coach Art Walker.

Outstanding players from volleyball and softball have decided to give the hardwood a try for the first time as St. Vincent readies to battle Rincon Valley Christian, Sonoma Academy and Upper Lake for the top spot in the North Central II League this season. Last year, the Mustangs finished 15-10 and solidly in second place in the league. They dropped a highly contested 41-37 game to International in San Francisco in the first round of the North Coast Section Division V playoffs.

Among those joining three-year captain McKenna Wilson-Kay and two-year shooting guard Clare Galten and their teammates will be notable athletes with strong pedigrees in other sports.

From a very strong volleyball team comes promising assist leader Alexandra Fetter, who is ticketed to step in for the departed Olivia DeGraca. It’s been a while for Fetter, who is anxious to help out this season. “I haven’t played basketball since the fifth grade. It’s a challenge, but I am going to hang in there. I am anxious to play this year,” she said before the recent Foundation Game against Drake of San Anselmo.

It wasn’t an easy task for the determined senior who ran the floor well enough and battled underneath against the Pirate post players, but picked up four early fouls. Fetter showed some early season promise, including playing the role of a center court outlet on the St. Vincent press breaker.

Also making a bid to earn regular minutes is volleyball senior hitter Analise Silva. “Analise is an athlete, and she wants to be coached,” noted Walker. Silva could be an X-factor for St. Vincent before the season ends.

Galten did not play in the early season foundation contest, which does not count on the record of either team. Wilson-Kay did turn in a solid effort with her experienced ball handling and accurate shots from the wing as St. Vincent dropped a 55-29 decision.

Galten, who surveyed the floor very well in her first two years, should have a strong season with more leadership responsibilities. She could be used at the point or on the wing. “She can help us even if her shot is not falling early in the game,” noted Walker.

The third-year starter might get a little help this season with the emergence of sophomore Sully Henry. Henry, the top pitcher on the St. Vincent softball team last spring, played on the junior varsity basketball team last season and turned in an impressive performance against Drake. She drove to the basket with conviction, and tossed in several crowd-pleasing shots from outside the arc.

Walker, who has also been impressed with the athleticism of Henry, would like to see the shooting guard blend into the tempo of the game. “Right now she is playing in one gear. When she adjusts, it looks like we have a player here,” the coach said.

Also joining the team is perennial all-league infielder Haley Antonini from the Division V challenging softball team. Antonini clocked in with multiple minutes in the contest against Drake.

Question marks for Walker and his Mustang squad this season will be the playing time of junior sisters Katie and Neila Gross. Both backcourt players have yet to be cleared for play after suffering injuries in other sports. Katie Gross had a terrific season as the Mustang point guard last year, and earned notice as one of the best defensive players in the area. A knee injury will sideline the hustling junior until after the holiday break. Versatile junior Lauren Vollert is also sidelined with an injury, but she will be counted on this season.

Outside shooter Julia Murphy will be joined by Grace Pederson, Vollert and veteran inside player Eva Clark when games count beginning with Tuesday’s game against St. Helena. Clark played very well at the West Coast Jamboree in Dublin last year. “Her offense needs to come around this season,” said a hopeful Walker.

Back-to-back tournaments at Carmichael in the Sacramento area and the traditional REBIT at Healdsburg will follow. The Mustangs will open play at Carmichael against host Victory Christian in the feature game. The Vikings were 15-8 last season. St. Vincent is in a bracket that includes Mesa Verde and Highlands.

Hopeful Mustang team candidates Alessandra Ditizio, Alexandria Saisi, Katelyn DeLaMontanya, Rebecca Wolff and Sam Giron will be seeking quality playing time for the Lady Mustangs.