The Dexter girls’ basketball team lost some outstanding seniors off last year’s dynamic and successful team. So what happens this year when Coach Lauren Thompson rolls out the balls for the 2022-23 season?
The answer is pretty much the same as it is every year with this program – you reload, rebuild and reestablish yourself as one of the best basketball teams in the area. The Dreadnaughts have a few experienced and talented players back and it will be just a matter of time before those balls all line up and the Dreads start clicking – as usual.
“We are very young,” says Coach Lauren Thompson. “We will need to have great communication and toughness, both mental and physical. We also need to have the willingness to learn and grow with the understanding that we will make many mistakes but what matters is moving past those mistakes quickly and trying again.
“If we can utilize our personnel strengths and play with an unselfish mentality, the sky is the limit for this team.”
Thompson is in her fourth year as the head coach after 12 years as an assistant with the program. She was named SEC Red Coach of the Year last season and has led Dexter to an SEC White title and SEC Red title in the last three seasons.
But Thompson would much rather talk about her players, and there are two headliners at the top of this year’s roster. Chloe Perry (main photo) and Alena Blumberg both return for the Dreadnaughts and bring experience and talent to the lineup.
Perry is a senior guard who averaged 8.3 points, 1.7 steals, 2.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds last year. A three-year varsity player and returning starter, Perry was SEC Red All-Conference Honorable Mention last season.
“I would say in our program history, Chloe has the best ability to get to the rim,” Thompson says. “She is a dangerous player because she can get to the rim at will and shoot the three. We are very excited about her senior year.”
Thompson also is very excited about Blumberg’s (above) sophomore year. Last year playing as a freshman, the forward earned a starting spot and averaged 8.3 points and 1.7 steals along with 4.9 rebounds. She also was a SEC Red All Conference Honorable Mention.
“Alena is a returning starter and great athlete,” Thompson says. “Her work ethic and drive to be great is second to none. As a result, she is one of the best cross country runners in the state, and will be a huge contributor for us this year.”
Also back for the Dreadnaughts this year are Alyssa Gullekson and Heidi Fuchs. Gullekson is a guard who is an “incredible worker.” She also can shoot the ball and can plays strong defense.
Fuchs, a forward, also loves to work. “She has put a lot of work in this off season and has the potential to be a big component to what we are trying to accomplish,” Thompson says. “She loves to rebound and be physical but is also a solid shooter from the outside.”
The Dreadnaughts have some young players ready to make an impact on varsity, including freshman point guard Addison Chase. “Addison is going to be a huge contributor to our team and program,” Thompson says. “She is an excellent ballhandler and shooter. Her work ethic and confidence will make her an immediate imact player for our varsity team.”
Sophomore foward Kendall Cabana is another player to look out for this year. “Kendall is an aggressive player who is not afraid to mix it up in the paint and then shoot from the outside,” Thompson says. “Her athleticism and drive to be great will undoubtedly make her an immediate impact player.”
Dexter is coming off an undefeated record in the SEC Red and a 19-3 overall record. They have some work to do to get back to that level.
“We are very excited about this season and are looking at this year as a reloading year rather than re-building year,” Thompson says. “Our girls have been committed to our program all summer and fall and are excited about this season. They have an expectation of winning but understand with that comes the best work ethic and a ton of resilience. We are all excited to get this season started!”
The season gets started Nov. 30 with a home game vs. Plymouth Salem.
