Mike Murray replaces long-time coach Ed Cravens, and the new coach has quickly discovered that there is no shortage of superior competitors at Campbell County. Murray has a wealth of athletes in his first season at the helm. That's going to ease the transition as the players get used to a new system.
Murray, who was at Bath County last season, is increasing the tempo and relying on the Camels to pick up the new schemes quickly so that they can begin executing his defense, which is designed to feed the offense.
"We're going to be tough to score on after we get it," Murray said. "We're going to use pressure defense to cause turnovers and use that to generate offense. One of our strengths is depth, and we're going to use our athletes."
• 37th District girls' basketball capsules
The Camels' projected top eight features a who's who of all-area performers in other sports including all-region volleyball player Kennedy Berkley, three-sport star Chandler Gray, and volleyball teammate Jenna Martin. Gray, who also plays softball, is returning to the basketball team.
"Our defense is going to tire other teams out because we have so many great athletes," Berkley said. "And our offense is going to be so fast this year."
There's also former all-region cross country runner and standout soccer defender Taylor Robinson and soccer goalkeeper Megan Rauch, who is on the same track and field relay teams as Berkley and junior forward Molly Kitchen.
"All those girls really like each other, which is great for our team," Murray said. "I feel extremely fortunate to have this situation because I've got fantastic kids."
The Camels' most talented player - leading returning scorer and rebounder Kaytlin Siegmundt - is a pure basketball player. She averaged 8.3 points and 7.3 rebounds last season.
"We may have more great athletes than great basketball players, but each girl brings something different to the table," Murray said. "Together, our athletes can be a good team."
Siegmundt, a 6-foot-3 junior post player, is an excellent rebounder. She has a quality mid-range jump shot and isn't afraid to drag defenders out to the perimeter.
"She's a kid that we feel like will be a low-end Division I recruit," Murray said. "She moves so well. She's got that size that college coaches love. In terms of pure shooting form, she has one of the best forms on the team. She elevates off the floor and has a nice touch out to 18 feet."
Murray is looking to exploit matchups by playing to Siegmundt's strengths.
"We want to use her to pull out those bigs from underneath and rotate a player into that spot and take away the inside that way," the coach said.
Berkley, a senior forward, is a key factor in the plan because of her strength and athleticism. "She has a wonderful instinct for the ball and she has improved her ball-handling so we're going to play her inside and out, too," Murray said.
The coach also wants to get Rauch on the perimeter so she can do some damage as a shooter. Gray also can shoot the basketball.
"I like the new offense because we're going to get it and go," Gray said.
http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/201...y-pressure