Tourney opener for Lady Raiders

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading the Barker varsity team this season will be this group of returning players. From left are Caitlyn Mason, Maicie Baker, Morgan Brown, Kelsi Flegal and Melissa Grosshans.

Tourney competition will open the season for the Barker girls varsity basketball squad which has a good nucleus of five returnees.

Barker will face Rochester School of the Arts (SOTA) in Thursday’s Kendall Tournament opener. Kendall will face Holley in the other semifinal.

Junior guard Caitlyn Mason, who earned second team Niagara-Orleans All-League honors last year, heads that veteran contingent which also includes seniors Maicie Baker, Morgan Brown, Kelsi Flegal and Melissa Grosshans.

The Lady Raiders roster also includes juniors Lindsey Williams, Courtney Bodine, Mary Rounds, Rebecca Stoloski and Gabriela Wasnock.

Barker’s key losses to graduation from last year’s 6-8 N-O squad include Olivia Denny, Julia Atwater and Brooke Bodine. Two other returning seniors, Gabby Clare and Alexandra VeRost, are also not playing this season.

“Our speed and quickness is better and our defense is improved,” said Coach Jeff Costello. “Now we just have to find a way to score better. That’s been our problem the last couple of years.”

Barker will open the N-O season at Akron on December 19.

Barker’s Schedule

Dec. 4 – vs. SOTA at Kendall Tournament, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 6 – at Kendall Tournament, TBA
Dec. 9 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
Dec. 11 – Tonawanda, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 6 – Medina, 6 p.m.
Jan. 9 – at CSAT, 6 p.m.
Jan. 13 – at Albion, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16 – at Wilson, 6 p.m.
Jan. 20 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 – Roy-Hart, 6 p.m.
Jan. 27 – Akron, 6 p.m.
Feb. 3 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 – CSAT, 6 p.m.
Feb. 10 – Albion, 6 p.m.
Feb. 13 – Wilson, 6 p.m.
Feb. 17 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 – at Roy-Hart, 6 p.m.