Lisle is depth-charged this season

This could be a special year for Jeff Javior's Lisle girls basketball team.

The team's depth is the reason for the coach's excitement as the season approaches. Thirteen girls are listed on the team's Web site roster and a couple may split time between junior varsity and varsity.

"We're deeper this year," Javior said. "That's something that I'm really happy about because I like to use a lot of subs. I'm just excited about being able to go deep into my bench. I like to use every girl if I can and this year's team is set up well for doing that."

Returning starters will be seniors Chelsea Peterson, Jackie Todd and Colleen Drennan. They have the talent and skills to be game-changers.

The 6-foot Peterson and Todd (5-7) will rebound and Drennan, at 5-10, can do just about everything else. Javior loves her versatility.

"She plays the four (position) and can also play point guard," he said.

Drennan can rebound, too, but her strongest areas are defense, passing and shooting.

Peterson will be the team's primary center. She finished second on the team in nearly every major statistical category, including points (9.0 per game).

Classmate Todd gets the call once more at small forward, where she averaged 9.7 points and about eight rebounds a game last season. Todd also racked up 2.5 steals per contest last season.

"She's our best all-around player," Javior said. "Jackie is consistent and a really good defensive player."

Peterson was the team's second option last year on offense behind Todd. She has made the biggest impression upon her coach with her strides on the other side of the ball.

"She's really picking up the defense even more this year than last year," he said. "She's a strong rebounder and Chelsea has shown that she can score."

Junior Tara Sarb (5-9) and sophomore Darian Payne (5-10) are two wild-card type players in the mix for the Lions. Sarb is making the transition from power forward to shooting guard. Payne makes up for her lack of experience with her considerable talent.

Fellow sophomores Emma Buchholz and Mackenzie Buchelt (both forwards) and guard Shelby Kretman also will vie for varsity minutes.

Chemistry might be the biggest reason for a possible turnaround season this year. The Lions finished last season 10-18 overall, with a 6-5 Interstate Eight Conference mark.

"The key is that they communicate and work together," Javior said. "This is a real close-knit team. With the depth, they'll push each other a lot more -- especially in practice."

The team's closeness may be attributable to the familiarity factor. Todd, Drennan, Peterson and Sarb are among the varsity players who played on the school's volleyball team this fall.

Javior picks Coal City -- last year's conference champion -- and Westmont as teams to contend with for the crown.

For now, Lisle will concentrate on what it can control: itself.

"We're going to be defense-oriented," Javior said. "I'm hoping with the quicker kids we have this year and pressure (defense), we'll be able to get out and run a little in the open court."

And he will have the coveted deep bench to allow players adequate rest so that they can go all out when they are in the game.

Lisle opens its season Nov. 20 at the Burlington Central Tournament.

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