A district championship remained just out of reach for the John Glenn girls basketball team, but that didn’t take anything away from what fifth-year head coach Cory Snider called a strong season.
“We have been so successful this year because of our ability to play both inside and outside with teams,” Snider said of the season that saw the Bobcats go 18-4 overall and win the North East Michigan Conference with a 5-1 record. “Our strength is our athleticism, and we have really ran the floor well this year. Our defense has been solid, which has led to great early opportunities for us offensively.”
Despite their third consecutive season with at least 16 wins, the Bobcats still had their season end with a loss to Bullock Creek in the district championship on Feb. 28. Aside from that loss to the Lancers, John Glenn lost two close games to Nouvel Catholic Central and one to Standish-Sterling.
“I also think our success is an attribute to how hard our girls work in the off-season,” Snider said. “They play a lot of basketball in the summer and fall, and it is really showing in the way they are playing together. Our chemistry has been very good this year, as well, and that makes playing a team game so much easier when you are willing to make sacrifices for the girl next to you. The final piece of our success has been my coaching staff. They are tireless workers who enjoy the game so much, but more than that, they enjoy teaching the game to our players. Without their game planning, help at practice, and day-to-day analysis, we wouldn’t have the success we’ve had the last few years.”
Of special importance for the Bobcats was winning the NEMC title, the first conference championship for the John Glenn girls’ program in several years and just the fourth in school history.
“We are certainly headed in the right direction, and winning the NEMC this year is just another stepping stone to get us where we want to be ultimately,” Snider said.
The coach pointed out Jenai LaPorte, a sophomore guard who averages 20.2 points per game; Kalle Martinez, a freshman guard with an 18.7 average; Sydney Thelen, a three-year varsity player; Jamie Brisson, another sophomore; Kennedy Clyde, a freshman post player; and Jessica Hegenaur, a three-year varsity player, as his top players.
“LaPorte is a very good rebounder for a guard and affects the game in a variety of ways,” Snider said. “Martinez is one of the best players I’ve ever seen at getting to the basket. Thelen is the best defender I’ve ever coached. Brisson has one of the highest basketball IQs I’ve seen. Clyde, in the five months I’ve coached her, I’ve yet to see her miss a box-out. Hegenauer is a superb athlete who can run the floor and finish in transition as well as step out and shoot.”
Even with standout players, the coach admits that they all have to come together to make an impact.
“We’ve been blessed with some outstanding and tireless workers,” Snider said. “They are an outstanding group of girls who enjoy playing the game for the name on the front of the jersey instead of the name on the back.”