Dexter’s Lauren Thompson always looks forward to the girls’ basketball season – one of the reasons why she is an excellent coach. This year, though, she is “very excited” to roll out the balls and take the court.
“We have seven returning varsity players,” she says, with an exclamation point. “Our team has incredible chemistry, and truly understands what it takes to be a selfless team. They cheer for each other, push each other to be better, and are workhorses. They are an absolute joy to coach.”
They also have plenty of talent – one of the reasons why Dexter should again be very competitive in the tough SEC. The Dreadnaughts went 17-9 last year and dribbled to a third-place finish in the SEC Red last season and were District champs. They lost to Plymouth Salem in a Regional final.
Among Dexter’s seven returning players are four starters from last season: Junior Alena Blumberg (5’10 Guard/Forward); senior Heidi Fuchs (5’10 Forward); senior Alyssa Gullekson (5’6 Guard); and sophomore Addison Chase (5’6 Point Guard).
Blumberg, fresh off an outstanding cross country season, will be starting for her third straight year for the Dreadnaughts. She earned an all-SEC conference honorable mention as a freshman, and was voted one of the top five players in the SEC RED last season, earning SEC Red First-Team All-Conference.
Blumberg can score from all over the floor. She scored 30 points in one game last season and scored 20 or more points in five games. She also made 55 three-pointers (32.5 percent shooting) as a sophomore and averaged 8.9 rebounds and two steals per game last year.
“Alena is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached,” Thompson said. “You will often find her in the gym at 6:30 a.m, before school, almost every day. She can shoot the ball and is also comfortable posting someone up.”
Chase is another player who can score and is solid in all facets of the game. Last year as a freshman, she averaged 6.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2 steals per game for the Dreads. She was named SEC All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Fuchs, who earned the SEC Sportsmanship Award last year, averaged 3.5 points and 4.9 rebounds last season for Dexter. Gullkeson, who earned the BCAM Team First Award and Hustle Player of the Year for the Dreads, shot 35.4 percent from the field and averaged 2.2 rebounds.
Kendall Cabana also returns after a strong sophomore season for the Dreads. The 5-10 forward was a key reason for Dexter’s success last year and should contribute even more this year.
“She is fast, physically strong and able to defend both guards and posts,” said Thompson. “She is an incredibly versatile player.”
Senior Bailey Kruger (5’6 guard), who is a standout defender and workhorse, also returns for Dexter.
Newcomers to watch include freshman Harper Backus (6’2″ post). “She can get up and down the floor and finishes well at the basket,” Thompson said. “She is a hard worker who wants to make an impact this year.”
