Lisbon girls’ basketball hasn’t enjoyed a winning season in 12 years.
New coach Nathan Hutcheson has some work to do.
Hutcheson starts his new coaching job after being a strength coach at Tipton, recently. While with the Tigers, he helped first with boys basketball, then girls basketball.
A Linn-Mar grad, Hutcheson played at Western Michigan. He is adjusting to the top job.
“The biggests adjustment is being in charge of everything,” Hutcheson said. “People rely on you to get things done, and making sure all those little details get accomplished.”
The Lions are coming off a 10-12 record a year ago, and return two regular starters – seniors Addy Happel and Chloe Claussen.
Happel averaged 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game last season. Clausen averaged 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
“We don’t have a lot of numbers,” Hutcheson said. “So everyone is going to have an important role.”
The Lions have a little more experience, returning sophomore Kamryn Kahl after she played in 19 games as a freshman, as well as junior Addie Clark, who played in 22 games, starting seven, averaging 2.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
With no juniors out, the Lions may need to rely on some underclassmen. “There is a lot of talent in the younger grades,” Hutcheson said.
The goal is to build the program back up.
“It’ll take a few years of winning more and more games,” Hutcheson said. “If that happens, the kids will get more excited and more players will go out.
“It starts with doing better than last year.”
The Lions open the season with a trip to Midland on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
Coach: Nathan Hutcheson (first season)
2022-23 record: 10-12
Returning letterwinners (4): Addy Happel, sr.; Chloe Claussen, sr.; Addie Clark, jr.; Kamryn Kahl, so.
Lisbon GBB fast facts Coach: Nathan Hutcheson (first season) 2022-23 record: 10-12 Returning letterwinners (4): Addy Happel, sr.; Chloe Claussen, sr.; Addie Clark, jr.; Kamryn Kahl, so.
Lisbon’s Addie Clark (No. 21) tries to get a shot under tight defense at play at home last season.