Clare girls hoping to reload another successful season

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

The Clare girl’s basketball team saw plenty of success last winter. The Lady Pioneers went 18-6 overall, winning a district championship along the way. They’ll have some new faces leading the way, but they definitely believe they can be in contention for some more good things in the 2025-26 campaign.

“We lost a lot of starting experience from last years’ team, but we have a lot of talented young ladies that are ready to take the next step for us,” third year head coach Shane Kelly said. “We will have a lot of speed and size that will help with what we want to do on the defensive end.  We are a really deep team and will play in waves to push the pace.”

Returning to the team will be seniors Marlee Clark, Syerra Mills, Olivia Forsberg, Mallory Louch as well as juniors Amelia Ryzyk, Sophia Buzzelli and Breez Yarger.

Newcomers for this year will be senior Kyley Wyman, junior Hadley Louch, sophomores Aleigha Finkbeiner, Reese Finkbeiner, Lena Renner and freshman Kamara Cooper.

“Olivia Forsberg and Breez Yarger are the two team captains, they are hardworking, committed team first players that bring a lot of experience to this team,” Kelly said. “Kamara Cooper and Kyley Wyman will be the primary ball handlers that will be the key to setting up all the other girls on the team. It is really early in the season, and we have only had a few practices and with gym times we have had to share with the JV program so we have been practicing in half a gym.  So, we have been doing a lot of shooting and defensive drills.  Starting (this week) will be by alone and be able to get to more complex things.”

Clare opens the season on Tuesday at home against Ogemaw Heights and they’ll play at Farwell on Thursday, Dec. 11.

“(Our keys to success are) being selfless, working hard, being patient to get a grasp on some of the complex things we are planning on doing,” Kelly said. “The growth of our young players and being confident in their rolls. Some team goals are competing for a conference (title) and winning another district. I know we lost a lot but we are reloading, and I know my girls are excited for the chance to show what they have to offer.”

Kelly added some of his thoughts on the Jack Pine Conference race, which he expects to be a tough battle once again.

“I think the conference will have the usual top teams with Meridian, Beaverton and Standish-Sterling,” he said. “I feel that if we can play the way I think we can we can have a hand in the outcome of this conference. (Early on we’re focused on) getting a grasp on the defense, fast break and offense and wanting my girls to become comfortable with the speed that I want to play at and understand the strategies that we will implement.”