Faith Kresge is no stranger to starting-lineup status.
A junior outside hitter for the Greenwood Christian volleyball team that recently captured its second-ever sectional title and first regional, Kresge will soon be playing near a different kind of net.
At 5-foot-8, she’ll be counted on to be the main interior presence for an extremely young Cougars basketball team.
“I’m really looking forward to the team’s overall development this season,” said Kresge, who is likely to bump up her per-game norms of 2 points and 5.1 rebounds from a year ago. “The coaches have done a phenomenal job investing in us on and off the court, and helping push us toward our end goal.
“Last year was a great rebuilding year. This is the time we’ll begin to see everything come together, and the hard work pay off.”
The Cougars play four of their first five games at home, beginning with the opener against Indianapolis Riverside on Nov. 1.
Such familiar surroundings — at least initially — could prove beneficial as second-year coach Tiffany Smith-Clements surrounds returnees Kresge and senior guard Sydney Waldron with freshman players yet to sample varsity competition.
Not surprisingly, Waldron and Kresge are team captains.
“I hate to put it all on Faith’s shoulders, but she is one who can handle it because she’s such a good athlete,” Smith-Clements said. “Faith is always in the gym working, and her work ethic sets the example for everyone else on the team.
“Faith is one who can step into that leadership role very easily. She’s just always doing the right thing.”
Given the success of GCA volleyball this fall, this will include a crash course in muscle memory from soaring for spikes to defending the interior and boxing out for rebounds.
All the while, Kresge will team with Waldron to help bring their younger teammates along.
“We have a lot of talented freshmen, and I’m confident they’ll fill the shoes of those players who have graduated,” Kresge said. “I just want to be more aggressive, and having another year under my belt has definitely grown my confidence in being an asset to the team.”
Greenwood Christian’s recent success in girls hoops is well documented, the program capturing four sectional and two regional titles in Class A in a four-year window (2018-22).
Despite winning just six games a year ago, the Cougars nearly added to their trophy haul, losing to host Eminence in the sectional championship game, 48-39.
Seasons change. Players, too. But not expectations.
“It will be just about getting better,” Smith-Clements said. “I think we’ll still have a successful season, and I still have the goal of winning sectional.”
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
Coach: Tiffani Smith-Clements
Last season: 6-19, lost to Eminence in championship game of Class A sectional
Key returnees: Sydney Waldron, senior; Faith Kresge, junior
Top newcomers: Abby Howell, Izzy Howell, Nora Herndon, Annaleece Jackson, Kate Reed and Reagan Willis, freshmen
Outlook: The Cougars established late-season momentum a year ago, winning four of their last seven games. Starters Waldron, a 5-foot-6 guard, and Kresge, the team’s 5-8 center, return, but the squad was dealt a blow when 5-11 sophomore Keira Goins, the likely starter at the 3 position, sustained an ACL injury during soccer season.
Waldron, who averaged 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds a year ago, and Kresge (2.0, 5.1), will bear the brunt of what the Cougars do, at least initially. As it stands, GCA’s supporting cast must now be comprised of a group of freshmen long on promise but lacking varsity experience.
“Obviously, we’re going to be young and inexperienced, but this group of freshmen has been playing together for a long time,” Smith-Clements said. “They each know what the other is going to do, so I’ve been excited about this group coming up.”
