Guardian Angels Central Catholic Girls aiming for big things again

Team: Guardian Angels Central Catholic

Mascot: Bluejays

Colors: Blue and White

Class: C-2

Conference: Mid-State

Head Coach: Jerry Stracke (13th season) (301-42 career record)

2014-2015 record: 25-4 (placed third at state)

Returning Starters: 3

Overview:

Coming off a very successful 2014-2015 campaign, the Guardian Angels Central Catholic Girls figure to be  good again.

The Bluejays return three starters in Kate Knobbe Sr Guard 6pts, Breanne Kreikemeier Sr Post 8 pts (C2 State Tournament Team), and Lexis Haase So Guard 8 pts.

GACC will have to make up for the loss of Jenny Knobbe, Krista Fischer, and Haley Guenther.

Figuring to do that will be Katey Brown Sr 6’1 Guard missed last year because of mono – signed with Missouri S&T, Katie Steuter Sr 5’8 Post 5pts 4reb, Maddie Knobbe Jr. 6’1 Post 7pts 3 reb, Lauren Wobken Jr 5’8 3pts 2reb, Sara Wordekemper Sr 5’7, Morgan Bracht Sr. 5’8 3pts 2 reb, and Hannah Hunke Jr 5’6 2pts.

Head Coach Jerry Stracke says his team likes to get after things defensively using the entire floor. "We like to play a full court game. Like to press. Combination of diff defenses – 2-3 / 1-2-2."

The Bluejays have been creating havoc defensively for years, and this year is no different. Stracke says his squad is well rounded. "Experienced players, Deep Bench, Good combination of guards and post players."

That's definitely a recipe for success. Stracke says there's always room for improvement though. "Need to work on ball handling and stay away from injuries."

GACC had a dominant season last year, and I expect the Bluejays to be good again this year.

GACC is good year in and year out, and I don't see that changing this season.

Season Outlook:

After taking third at state a season ago, the expectations for the GACC girls are high. Stracke says his team hopes to do well given what they bring back. "We return players with experience. Hope to make it down to state and be competitive."

The schedule has its challenges like it did last year as GACC has difficult games against Crofton, Wayne, Wahoo, Bishop Neumann, Winnebago, Wynot, Hartington Cedar Catholic, Kearney Catholic, Norfolk Catholic, and Pierce.

The Bluejays are challenged every year, but like the past, should be dominant this year. There's no reason to think GACC won't be good.

Stracke says it should be a fun season with high expectations.  

The Bluejays are in the business of winning, and winning state championships. Their goals generally don't change from year to year. Winning the whole thing is what this school has in mind every time it competes in a sport, regardless of what sport it is and if it's boys or girls.

GACC has a tradition of excellence in girls basketball and in many other sports, and that should serve them well this season. 

Look for the Bluejays to be right there come February and March.

GACC opens up the year on Thursday in the Northeast Nebraska Tip-Off Classic. 

2015-2016 Guardian Angels Central Catholic Bluejays Girls Basketball Schedule:

12/03-12/05	(To Be Determined)							NEN Tip-Off Classic	Wisner-Pilger High School/GACC, Emerson-Hubbard
12/08/15	@ Columbus Scotus	C1
12/12/15	Crofton	C2
12/15/15	@ Clarkson/Leigh	C2
12/21/15	@ Wayne	C1
12/29-12/30	(To Be Determined)							Homer Holiday Tournament	Homer
01/02/16	@ Wahoo	C1
01/09/16	Aquinas Catholic	C1
01/12/16	@ Bishop Neumann	C1
01/14/16	Winnebago	C2
01/16/16	Boone Central/Newman Grove	C1
01/19/16	Battle Creek	C2
01/21/16	Wynot	D2
01/22/16	O'Neill	C1
01/23/16	@ Hartington Cedar Catholic	C2
01/28/16	Kearney Catholic	C1
01/30-02/06	(To Be Determined)							Mid-State Conference Tournament	NECC/Norfolk Catholic
02/09/16	Norfolk Catholic	C1
02/11/16	@ Pierce	C1