Mount Vernon girls’ basketball finished last season ranked No. 11 in Class 3A.
The Mustangs had a 16-8 record, losing three times to their Hwy. 1 rivals, including the regional final.
Mount Vernon had to improve, and it seems like they have.
“We have a mixture of size, shooting and speed that should make us fun to watch this season,” Mount Vernon Coach Nate Sanderson said. “This group really plays hard and loves to share the basketball.”
Senior Peyton Simpson and junior Chloe Meester return to lead the Mustangs.
Simpson averaged a team-high 10.1 points per game last season. Meester averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
“For the first time in two years (Peyton) was healthy during the off season,” Sanderson said. “She spent a tremendous amount of time in the gym working on her off-the-dribble game and her ability to finish at the rim.”
Simpson made 47 3-pointers last season.
“A shooter, she has become a much better driver and cutter,” Sanderson said.
A 6-foot-3 Div. I volleyball recruit, Meester got more comfortable in the post as the season moved along last year. She averaged 3.5 blocks per game in the second half of the season.
“Her dedication to Mustang Strength and Speed has also been evident as she is much stronger inside than she was a year ago,” Sanderson said.
Next add sophomore Courtney Franck, who averaged 6.0 points per game and led the defense last season.
“The emergence of Courtney Franck as a defensive menace was key,” Sanderson said. “Franck averaged four deflections and 3.4 steals, often applying full court pressure on her own.”
Joining the Mustangs is 5-foot-11 junior Sydney Huber, who played as a sophomore at Cedar Rapids Xavier. With the Saints, she averaged 9.1 points per game in the Mississippi Valley Conference.
“She provides good length on the bottom of our zone,” Sanderson said.
Also new is senior Lillian Wischmeyer and four freshmen – Alivia Truitt, Lucy Wischmeyer, Rylee Rasmussen, and Sophia Meester. Eryn Jackson returns (5.5 ppg) as does Brynley Rasmussen (5.7 ppg).
Without a true point guard, the Mustangs may need to figure out how to break the press and initiate the offense.
The WaMaC remains loaded, and Solon should be among the state favorites with Callie Levin back for her final season.
Coach: Nate Sanderson [third season at MV (28-21), 21 seasons overall (227-214)]
Assistants: Ben Knake, Jason Pershing, Lori Moss, Jacob Misener, Susan Orvis.
2022-23 record: 16-8, made regional finals
Returning letter winners (7): Brynley Rasmussen, sr.; Chloe Meester, jr.; Courtney Franck, so.; Eryn Jackson, jr.; Josie Niehaus, sr.; Petyon Simpson, sr.; Taylor Franck, so.
MV Girls Basketball fast facts Coach: Nate Sanderson [third season at MV (28-21), 21 seasons overall (227-214)] Assistants: Ben Knake, Jason Pershing, Lori Moss, Jacob Misener, Susan Orvis. 2022-23 record: 16-8, made regional finals Returning letter winners (7): Brynley Rasmussen, sr.; Chloe Meester, jr.; Courtney Franck, so.; Eryn Jackson, jr.; Josie Niehaus, sr.; Petyon Simpson, sr.; Taylor Franck, so.
Mount Vernon’s Peyton Simpson (No. 25) looks for an open teammate in play last season.