Last season, if there was a big basket to be made in an East Rowan girls basketball game, head coach Randy Bingham usually ordered his young troops to find seniors Emily Rich and Lora Williams.
That strategy was enough to bring 15 victories to the always-stable program but Bingham, who is not on staff but volunteers his time (“because I love the game”), was anything but satisfied.
“Ithought we should’ve easily won 20,” he said.
Rich and Williams have graduated but Bingham is still crooning the same tune. And he is determined to have more than a couple of options in that drive for 20 victories.
“I think everybody can be a leading scorer,” Bingham smiles.
Helping lead the way, he hopes, are a trio of sophomores, including another Rich girl.
Maggie Rich, burst onto the scene last year as a freshman, averaging 10 points.
“She won’t be in the shadow of Emily,” Bingham said of his 5-foot-11 star, “and I think she is a bonafide all-county and all-conference player. She can play anywhere. She could be the center but I’ll put her primarily on the wing. I think Maggie will put a lot of responsibility on herself.”
Rich will be joined inside by Jordan Huffman, a six-footer, who has already made her mark. In the first game of her sophomore year last week, she hit the winning bucket against Jay Robinson.
Huffman gives Bingham a high-low force inside.
“She’s the best 10-foot jump shooter I’ve got,” he said. “Iwish she’d shoot more. She’s so unselfish.
“Jordan is capable of having good offensive nights when she wants it.”
Getting the ball to the scorers is important and that duty falls on 5-4 Tiffany
Ingold, yet another soph, who also has the potential to be super.
Ingold was on the varsity last year but didn’t play much.
“It’s tough going from middle school to high school, just like it’s difficult going from high school to college,” Bingham said.
Now, Ingold is the key to the team as the point guard. She’s a hustler and the team’s most enthusiastic player.
“Tiffany’s ready to prove herself on this level,” he said. “She has played since we quit last year.”
Two seniors could join the sophs in seeing the most playing time: Michelle Haynes, an enforcer inside, and Haley Shaw, a much-improved guard, return.
At 5-10, Haynes can play forward or center and is the team leader.
“Michelle can average in double figures,” said Bingham, “but her main asset is rebounding. She’s the coach on the floor.”
Bingham said he couldn’t wait for area fans to get a look at Shaw, who he calls “vastly improved.
“People are going to be surprised at her play,” Bingham smiled. “She has improved more than any player we have. She’s more aggressive.”
Shaw suffered a slight knee injury in the season opener but Bingham hopes she bounces back quickly.
“Haley’s our only consistent three-point shooter,” he said.
Three other seniors who will see time are Brianna Mundy, a 5-10 guard, Crystal
MacLamroc, a 5-7 guard and Lauren Brown, a 5-10 forward. MacLamroc is Shaw’s backup.
Bingham will get help from two players coming up from the jayvees. Kelly Kluttz is a 5-11 center. Tara Ludwig is a 5-5 guard. Both are juniors.
“Kelly has been a pleasant surprise,” said Bingham. “She is pretty raw but does good things. She just hasn’t been around our system long enough.
“Kelly and Jordan are our best shot blockers and Kelly is probably our best jumper. Tara’s got a good work ethic and brings a lot of energy to the team.”
Bingham says he and his two assistants — Candice Pace and Stan Honeycutt — love this team because of its quickness and it’s togetherness.
“They pull for each other,” he said.
There are two basic differences from last year to this season. East Rowan will fast break more and have a more aggressive demeanor.
“We’re going to run,” Bingham continued. “And you’re going to see different attitudes than you’ve seen in the past. These girls aren’t afraid of anything.”
That’s good, considering the talent of the North Piedmont 3A can scare the daylights out of most people.
“It’s the toughest 3A conference in the state.” Bingham said. “You don’t take anyone for granted.”
Especially his team.
“I’m real excited,” Bingham said. “These girls have improved every day and they listen. You set your goals of what you think you can achieve — and I want to win ‘em all.”
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