By SETH STASKEY

Times Leader Sports Editor

MARTINS FERRY — Being average just isn’t going to cut it for Martins Ferry girls basketball.

After an 11-11 record in the COVID-year of 2020-21, head coach Dave Reasbeck expects his team to take steps forward.

“We don’t want to be average,” Reasbeck said. “We got a lot of experience and won some big games last year, but we had some bad performances, too. We’re already a lot better than we were at this time last year, so we’re expecting bigger and better things.”

Reasbeck, like many basketball coaches, felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic last season. Whether it was quarantines, schedule changes, no OVAC playoffs, etc., the pandemic took its toll.

“Last year was horrible with all of the COVID things,” Reasbeck said. “We were coming off a season where we ended with the gym packed every night and then we went to just family, no intensity in the gym, all of the rules and it just wasn’t real run.”

Now, however, Reasbeck expects “good things” because “the fun is back.”

On top of the fun, all of the Rider players are back along with a couple of impact freshmen, who Reasbeck is extremely high on.

“This is going to be a normal year and we’re going for it,” Reasbeck said. “Just having everyone back doesn’t always mean you’re going to be better, but I know we’re better. We have a good senior class that works hard and they deserve (success).”

Martins Ferry is unlike several area teams because it has some depth and numbers from which to choose.

All told, the Rider roster includes 21 players from grades nine through 12.

“It’s great to have that many kids,” Reasbeck said. “The culture (within the program) is high and the morale is strong. Our practices are really competitive and we’re getting better because of that.”

Reasbeck firmly believes as many as 10 or even 11 players could see action at the varsity level. Taking it a step farther, he doesn’t see a whole lot of drop off either.

“Each of those 10 or 11 can bring something different to help us win,” Reasbeck said. “Our kids have realized that if they’re not playing well, they’re probably going to get replaced and that mentality is allowing us to get better.”

Because of the versatility and varying skill sets, Reasbeck didn’t pin himself into a corner in terms of what the offensive and defensive approaches of his team will be.

“As (former Bellaire head coach) Gene Ammirante used to say, ‘you have to dance to all of the dances,'” Reasbeck said. “That really fits us because there are some games where we will play more inside and other games where we press and run.”

The Purple Riders will be led by senior standout Maria Clark, who is coming off a junior campaign in which she poured in 14 points a game. She really came on late in the season, scoring double figures in her last eight games and 10 of the final 11.

“Maria is a great leader. Actually, she’s probably the best leader any boys or girls team here (at Martins Ferry) has,” Reasbeck said. “I call her Coach Clark, actually. On the court, we want her to be more consistent and she realizes that. She knows sports and knows when she needs to pick it up. She deserves to have a good season.”

Classmate Allarah Jones (5-7) is another Reasbeck is expecting to contribute big things both in terms of scoring and rebounding. Jones scored 13 point a game and had a 30-point outburst at St. Clairsville in December.

“Allarah is a girl who lives and breaths hoops,” Reasbeck said. “I’ve never seen her work harder than she has in the last couple of months. That will pay off for her.”

Sophomore Danielle Lude (5-9) is expected to take a big step forward after an impressive rookie season in which she scored almost nine points a game.

“Danielle is the key to our season,” Reasbeck said. “She’s probably the most-skilled player we have. When she’s good, we’ll be good. If she’s average, we won’t be as good.”

Senior Hunter Pollock (5-6) is expected to be a starter. She chipped in four points a game last year, but Reasbeck admits she was playing out of position because she was forced into point guard duties.

“Hunter can go back to being Hunter this year and play her role, which is knocking down open shots,” Reasbeck said.

Freshman Lindsey Best (5-9) is a talented newcomer, who Reasbeck believes significantly improves his team.

“Lindsey is the reason we’re 20 points better than we were last year,” Reasbeck said. “She’ll be our point guard, she’ll probably guard the other team’s best player. She’ll score and create and can really make a big difference for us.”

Classmate Lindse Sidon (5-4) will be one of the top subs for the Purple Riders and is another frosh who Reasbeck believes will make a big impact.

“Lindse can flat-out shoot,” Reasbeck said. “She lives and breaths hoops and will make a difference for us.”

Senior Eve Agnew (5-6) will see “meaningful minutes” according to her head coach because she can “score the ball.”

The Sisters McFarland — senior Lauren (5-6) and sophomore Ella (5-7) — will also see viable minutes. Reasbeck called Lauren McFarland his team’s “most improved player” and was very complimentary of Ella McFarland’s production a season ago when she was thrust into the starting lineup.

The balance of the varsity roster includes juniors Jordan Hughes (5-7), Avery Marchbank (5-5), sophomore Faith Smith (5-8) and freshman Tessa Guthrie (5-4).

Ticketed primarily for junior varsity duty are junior Trista Regis (5-5), sophomores Maddie Clark (6-0), Lanee Matz (5-11), Sarah Shreve (5-6), freshmen Alivia Fodor (5-4), Ayla O’Connell (5-5) and Averie Hughes (5-7).

“We got a chance (to be pretty good),” Reasbeck said. “The competition (in the OVAC and district) is good, too, so we have to be ready to go. Everyone likes their team right now, but I really want to like my team in January and February. I think I will, but we’ll need to stay healthy, catch some breaks, play well and get better as the season progresses.”

The Purple Riders’ schedule now includes a pair of games with Cambridge and they added Barnesville. Beaver Local and Edison are no longer on the slate.

The coaching staff underwent a change, too. Long-time area assistant coach Chip Calissie has been hired and Brian Best has elevated from the junior high level.

“For the first time, I am giving up the reins,” Reasbeck said. “Chip is running the offense and Brian is running the defense. I’m not sure I’ll relax much, but I can evaluate and coach the game more. Chip is the biggest pick-up I’ve ever had. I really believe he’s worth three or four wins because he’s that good of a coach.”

Along with those two newcomers, Rick Douglas returns as a varsity assistant.