Fountain Central girls basketball was under new leadership in 2022-23 a year ago as Sam Karr took over the Mustang program. In his first season FC showed glimpses of what they could become and ultimately finished the season with an 11-13 record. That team was a very young one and featured no seniors. That means that every member of that team is back for year two under Karr as the Mustangs are gearing up to tip off their 2023-24 on Tuesday when they welcome Faith Christian.
FC’s leading scorer a year ago was Hannah Prickett who scored 11.5 points per game with three rebounds and 2.3 assists while also grabbing 2.5 steals a game. Kacey Kirkpatrick returns for her senior season and her alongside 5’11 junior KayLee Spragg will anchor the post. Kirkpatrick scored 5.9 pts and had 4.8 rebounds a year ago with Spragg scoring 4.7 pts and having 5.7 boards. Junior Brailey Hoagland led the team in rebounds (6.3), steals (3.0) and assists (2.8) a year ago.
Karr notes how not only is he excited to get the season underway but as are his girls who look to take the next step forward this season.
“I’m excited for this year because I’ve seen this sophomore from last year grow and they’re so far ahead from where they were last year,” Karr said. “We had to start from scratch last year because we were so young. This season we’ve already starting putting in plays and sets in the first week of practice. It helps that we bring back everyone and most importantly they’re all healthy. Another element to this team is our freshman class which is going to help contribute right away.”
Those freshman include Henley Good, Bella Bacon, Aubrey Ashwill, and Savannah Bowers.
“Those girls have had a lot of success at the middle school level and have already fit in with our returning girls,” Karr added of his talented freshman class. “With them in the mix there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be better than we were last season.”
A season ago the Mustangs finished 4-3 in the Wabash River Conference. They averaged 32.8 points per game while giving up just 34.8. They also were able to get a sectional win over North Vermillion before falling in the semi-finals to Rossville. This year, Karr wants his girls to take that next step forward and be in the thick of things for the WRC and even a sectional crown.
“You always want to be a major player in your conference and in the sectional,” Karr said. “I think this team has the talent to accomplish both of those goals. We have the ability to cause problems for anybody on any given night. If we get better offensively, which we will and end up putting it all together, who knows what might happen. This is great group of girls who love to play defense and do it well. It’s the great equalizer in basketball and that’s why we spend so much time on it.”
Tip off between the Mustangs and Faith Christian is scheduled for a 6:30 start on Tuesday as it will be a varsity only contest. FC has a busy opening week with two other home games on the docket. They’ll welcome Clinton Prairie on Thursday before hosting Frankfort on Saturday night.
