There will be quite a few familiar faces on this year’s Hamilton Southeastern girls basketball team.
With four returning starters and six overall returning lettermen, experience will be a key factor for the Royals this year. The list of varsity players on the team includes several that are getting interest from college programs, and one player that has already committed.
Southeastern will be led by a “new” coach this year, Brian Satterfield, who takes over the program after years of success under Chris Huppenthal. While this will be his first year as the Royals’ girls coach, Satterfield isn’t new to HSE. He was the boys basketball coach for 20 seasons, totaling 322 wins and three sectional championships.
As for the players, the returning starters all are capable of scoring. Ryan Viele, a 5-8 senior guard, brings back the most points with 11.2 per game. Another senior, 5-9 guard Makayla Hinshaw, added 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game last year. Both are three-year letter winners and are getting looks from Division II or NAIA programs.
Two juniors make up the other half of the returning starter list. Riley Makalusky, a 6-1 guard, scored 9.6 points and collected 3.2 rebounds per game last year, while 5-6 junior guard Olivia Brown averaged 6.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Both are two-year letter winners and are getting Division I interest.
Two more juniors are back as returning lettermen. Lauren Stewart, a 5-8 forward, averaged 4.1 points per game last year, and 5-9 guard Teegan Acres is receiving NAIA interest.
Five additional players round out the varsity list. Three of them are seniors, 5-9 forward Gabi Layman, 5-6 guard Caleigh Scott, and 6-3 center Zoe Bolding, who has committed to play at Hope College. Two freshmen forwards are on the varsity roster, 6-2 Maya Makalusky, who is already getting Division I looks, and 5-8 Maine Hooks.
“The team is excited about its depth, which should help them compete every day in practice,” said Satterfield. “The team had a productive summer and hopes to build on the great foundation Coach Huppenthal has established with the program. It will not be an easy challenge as the sectional is loaded this year. Our goal is to compete at a high level every day and hope to get better as the season progresses.”
Southeastern begins its season on Tuesday by hosting Columbus North, then will play two games Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Fishers Classic.
Southeastern roster
Seniors: Zoe Bolding, Makayla Hinshaw, Gabi Layman, Caleigh Scott, Ryan Viele.
Juniors: Teegan Acres, Olivia Brown, Riley Makalusky, Lauren Stewart, Jazmine Young.
Sophomores: Elaina Constantine, Elena Crawford, Reagan Frank, Sophia Hosei, Zoe Lawless, Avery Orinion, Ashleigh Taylor, Hannah Wade.
Freshmen: Kayla Brinley, Abigaile Brown, Maine Hooks, Kenley Johnson, Ciara Kepner, Amariey Lofton, Maya Makalusky, EJ Shults, Addison Van Hoesen.