Friday, Dec. 5, the Middletown High School girls varsity and JV basketball teams open the 2008-2009 season with games at Catoctin High School.

Returning eight seniors from last year’s 20-5 team, the Knights look to their three captains, Alyssa Oursler, Kallie House, and Madeline Keimig, for leadership. Four sophomores, Chrissy Payne, Jacky Kessler, Brittany Holian and Allison Bussard, have been moved up to round out the roster, .

Losing three starters from last season, captain Alyssa Oursler thinks people will not expect much out of the Knights.

“There is no reason why we can’t cut down the nets after regionals this year,” she said, “And even go further. We have a lot of potential.”

Captain Kallie House agreed, saying, “We can surprise a lot of people.”

The Knights ended last season with a disappointing loss to Winters Mill High School in the playoffs, and seek to get revenge this season. Other big games to watch include Friday, Dec. 12 at Urbana High School, Tuesday, Dec. 16, against Winters Mill, Thursday, Dec. 18 against North Hagerstown, and Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, against rival Walkersville. The Knights play Winters Mill, North Hagerstown and Walkersville twice each this season.

House and Oursler agreed that Walkersville is the biggest game. Oursler said, “Walkersville is always a big game, and they didn’t graduate many players last year. It should be a good matchup.”

This season, look for the sophomores to make significant contributions for the Knights. In particular, Payne, Kessler, and Holian should log major minutes.

Payne is a key post player, combining height with good strength and low post skills.

Kessler is a sharp shooter and great athlete, combining raw skills and outstanding hustle.

According to House, Holian “has stepped up, and is very versatile.”

Look for the Knights to have a solid season, playing hard and fighting every game. The Knights have a deep and solid roster, combining the experience and leadership of their eight seniors with the versatility and skill of the sophomore players. House and Oursler keep their expectations high, with House saying, “We can ultimately make it to UMBC.” It should prove to be an entertaining season.

This season, five freshmen join returning starters Tara Staley and Rachel Kessler on the Middletown High School JV girls basketball team. With new coaches Randy Stiner, former 9th grade coach, and Rebecca Ayers, English teacher at MHS, the JV Knights look to have a successful season. Staley and Kessler are joined by Nikki Frushour and Kyler Redmond as captains. A low turnout at tryouts caused coaches not to have a freshman team this season, but should have enough talent to have a successful season.