Familiar faces<br>gone for Phantoms

GC VILLAGE — The Grand Canyon High School girls basketball team heads into the season with question marks. Only four of the 13 players on last year’s squad return and that includes just one returning starter.

Junior Melissa Monroe is a key returnee for the Lady Phantoms. (GCN file photo)

"The majority of my team is made up of freshmen," fourth-year Grand Canyon coach Andrew Aldaz said. "Melissa Monroe is the only player with varsity experience. We do have some seniors who have played some basketball and they’ll help us out."

Names familiar to local basketball fans over the past few years are gone — Clayton, Olsen, Wahler, Northup. The coach knew he’d lose them because of graduation. But in addition, juniors Megan Boyd and Debra Aldaz are no longer on the roster after moving away.

"This is a new challenge for me, we have a lot of young players," Aldaz said. "I’m in a situation now with three years experience that makes it easier ... I have a better idea of what to look for."

Monroe, junior guard, will need to be a leader on the floor as the lone player with experience. Aldaz expects she will have no problems in that role.

"With her being the only returning starter, she has to wear some big shoes," Aldaz said. "She’s going to have to be a leader. I’ve been watching her in practice and she’s taking on this role. She likes that challenge."

Seniors Maria Durfey and Cayla Shearer were roster players last season and along with Monroe and sophomore Jessica Hall, represent the only returnees. Senior Illanda Bitsui is on the team this year and has proved herself as an athlete in other sports.

The rest of the roster features freshmen, but Aldaz likes his up-and-coming prospects.

"We have a really good group of freshmen coming in," Aldaz said. "Samantha Stickler, being 6-foot-4, really helps. She’ll be our big person to push the ball inside to."

Besides Stickler, other freshmen on the roster include Collette Aspaas, Danielle Bone, Ivy Davis, Nikki Harvey, Adrianne Keebahe, Tiffany Monroe and Becky Richardson.

The team will focus on defense, trying to create turnovers.

"We’ll try to work the ball inside and open up a little outside shooting," Aldaz said. "We’ll have to depend on our defense to force some turnovers. We’ve been working hard in practice on the defensive end."

Grand Canyon opens the season Friday at the Pinon Tournament. The girls play at noon vs. Gallup Catholic, 4 p.m. vs. Many Farms and 7 p.m. vs. Leupp. Two more games will be guaranteed for Saturday.

The girls play this coming Tuesday at home vs. Williams. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Roster

Seniors — Illanda Bitsui, Maria Durfey, Cayla Shearer.

Juniors — Melissa Monroe.

Sophomores — Jessica Hall.

Freshmen — Collette Aspaas, Danielle Bone, Ivy Davis, Nikki Harvey, Adrianne Keebahe, Tiffany Monroe, Becky Richardson, Samantha Stickler

Head coach — Andrew Aldaz (fourth year).

Assistant coaches — Crystal Palmer, Missy Ijica.

Student manager — Leah Trigwell.