By VINCE LOVERGINE
TopSports.news
Jaley Barkley opens year number two as the head coach of the Cair Paravel Latin girls basketball coach, and as preseason practices ramp up, her smile couldn’t be any bigger.
Former Cair Paravel standout Jaley Barkley begins her second season as the Lions' girls basketball coach. [File photo/TSN]
If you ask why, that’s because of the returning talent CPLS has as the Lions look to put last season's 2-11 record in the history books and put their best foot forward this year, especially in their second season in the Flint Hills League.
“We have a lot of veterans but we also have a lot of new faces,'' Barkley said. "I’m just excited from what we learned last year. I was so proud of the girls last year despite how the season went and I want to build off that and continue their drive that they had last year and improve this year.''
Barkley said her voice doesn’t carry very well and goes out on her whether that’s at practices or game day when the gym is loud with people cheering. Barkley said it’s a playful thing the team feeds off, which she said is good because that helps them communicate better.
“It’s kind of fun between us because they know they may not be able to hear me … having that understanding of, 'Jaley is calling a play but we also have to look at her,’ so, I think that’s something fun with this group too,” Barkley said.
Barkley said this team feels more comfortable with each other as they build on those relationships. She said the Lions all respect each other and the game, which makes it easier to coach them.
“I love this season, I grew up playing it and being able to coach it, just makes me happy,'' Barkley said. "This time of the year, basketball is on all the time, watching it on TV, being able to coach, being able to practice with the girls, it brings me so much joy and being able to connect with my girls on and off the court wraps it up in a bundle for me.''
Senior Karsyn Hastert is a top returner for Cair Paravel girls basketball this winter. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Karsyn Hastert is a dominant force down low that will cause problems in Class 2A but Barkley also likes sophomore London Backman and her confidence and experience she brings back starting as a freshman last season.
Barkley said don’t forget senior KellyAnn Chada either, as most have seen what Chada brings to the court and soccer fields.
Hastert said with the team doubling in size, that will help in practice being more competitive and hopefully transition into gameplay.
“Building on last year is motivation just to be better, represent our school better and we know we’re better than what we executed last year… and hoping what we know now, we execute that better,” Hastert said.
Hastert said they have to remember as a group that it's a new year and turning a new leaf.
“The freshmen and sophomores have great drive and leadership for their age and I think they’re going to step into their roles once KellyAnn and I graduate which is great to see,” Hastert said.
