Four seniors return and three of them figure to be in the starting lineup – Kaitlyn Schumacher, Grace Tegeler and Isabella “Izzy” Hardiek.

Schumacher was the team’s leading rebounder and second leading scorer.

“Kaitlyn has a real nose for the ball,” Thompson said. “She is very athletic and runs the floor well. We’re going to try to push the ball a little more this year and that could be an asset for her. She always plays hard.”

Tegeler will be the point guard.

“Grace is one of the strongest players on the team,” the coach noted. “She has a nice outside jumper, but she can also get to the basket. She will also be good defensively. I look for Grace to step up and be one our leaders; be more vocal.”

Hardiek was the second leading rebounder a year ago while primarily playing in the post. Her role will be expanded this season.

“She can step out and hit the three,” Thompson said. “She had a good summer. Izzy can score inside, but I look for her to score some from the outside, too. And still be a strong rebounder.”

The other senior – Zoe Cremens – figures to be a big contributor. She is a good outside shooter, can knock down the three and also passes the ball well.

The other two starters – Kaylee Niebrugge and Emily Konkel – are both juniors.

Niebrugge can play the post or step out and make outside shots. She led the team in assists last year.

“She’s a good finisher around the basket,” Thompson said. “Kaylee sees the floor well and is good in transition. She’s also a good passer and has a strong basketball IQ.”

The coach describes Konkel as “the most athletic player on our team. She can handle the ball and get out and run. She averaged about four points a game last year, but I definitely need her to pick that up. She has a great jump shot.”

Others on the varsity include juniors Katie Kremer, Jolene Deters, Courtney Gibson, Taylor Bueker and Estella Mette; and sophomores Summer Wall and Isabelle Zerrusen.

“These girls just need to play and develop their games,” Thompson explained. “Because of COVID, we’re a year behind in our development. They missed out on a lot of practice time. I think we’ll see a lot of improvement from them during the season.”

Thompson said one of the main strengths of this team is how coachable they are.

“We put in some new things this year and they’ve picked up on them well,” the coach noted. “There will be growing pains, but this is a smart bunch and coachable.

“I also like our versatility,” Thompson added. “We have several athletic kids that can play multiple positions.”

One of the coach’s concerns is outside shooting.

“We can get to the basket pretty well, but we need to counter that by being able to knock down outside shots,” Thompson said. “Right now, we’re a work in progress and it may take awhile for everything to come together.”

After one year competing in the Apollo Conference, the Lady Shoes will return to their independent – and always tough – schedule. Sullivan and Mt. Carmel are not on the schedule this year, but Mt. Vernon, Breese Central, Neoga and Fairfield have been added.,

THS will also compete in the Salem Thanksgiving Tournament, the Charleston Christmas Tournament and the Highland Tournament in mid-January.

“We’re going to be challenged just about every night,” Thompson said. “But that’s what we want. We want to be ready for the postseason. It sure feels nice to have the postseason back.”

The Lady Shoes will play four games in the Salem Thanksgiving Tournament, which begins tonight (Thursday, Nov. 19).

T-Town’s next home game will be Monday, Dec. 13, against St. Anthony.

“I’m real high on our team. We could be a very good team,” Thompson said. “Like I said, the parts are all there. It’s the job for us as coaches to get all the parts working together.”