Ben Murphy
Sports Scene
The bad news for the Freeland girls basketball team was that its season came to an end in the Class B state semi-final March 16 to Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 72-49.
The good news is that, without a senior, the entire Falcon roster is expected back next year to make a run at a state championship.
“I am very excited,” head coach Tom Zolinski said of next year. “They gained the experience this year that most seniors get in their last year. We will be very experienced and deep next year. Our junior varsity was 18-2 this year, so we should be decent for several years.”
It’s hard to question his excitement for next year, as each starter returns with at least some conference honors. Tori Jankoska (first-team all conference, first team all-state, Sports Scene player of the year), Tara Padgett (first team), Abbye Wenzell (second team), Paige Brown (honorable mention) ,and Taryn Taugher (honorable mention).
The Falcons finished the season 22-4 overall and went 14-0 in league play to claim the Tri-Valley Central championship.
“It was a great year, we progressed into a solid team,” Zolinski said. “Our goal was to win the conference and make it to the Breslin. We accomplished both. I couldn’t be happier with this group. They have been a part of the program for years. To see them be so successful is gratifying.”
As great as the season was, it didn’t end in a state championship. Zolinski feels he knows the solution to get his team over the hump.
“We need to get stronger,” he said. “We already have plans to get in the weight room and do speed training. We also have to improve defensively. This was exposed in the final four. Of course, the whole team must continue to get better fundamentally. We are no longer satisfied with getting to the Breslin, we want to win down there.”
For the head coach, at least, the 2012-13 campaign can’t come soon enough.
“I love my job, we have been together almost every day for four months,” Zolinski said. “It’s tough to see that routine end. It [the season ending] wasn’t as difficult this year knowing that we will have everyone back. We will start getting ready for next year shortly.”