Coach Marty Plum's Fort Calhoun girls basketball program is in a good place.
“Everyone is just really positive and has great energy,” junior Bria Bench said Nov. 21. “It makes practice really easy and enjoyable.”
The Pioneers went 9-14 last season and return a bevy of key contributors minus Nebraska Wesleyan freshman guard Tessa Skelton. Among the returners is the 5-foot-11 Bench, who scored 11.2 points per game during the 2021-22 season.
“I feel like, after a few years, I know what's going on and how everything works,” she said, describing her comfort level on the floor.
Junior Maddy Tinkham (6.1 points per game) and senior Dala Drowne (3.6) are also back after multiple years in the FCHS lineup. Kylie Perfetti and Kaylee Taylor received plenty of playing time a year ago, too.
In addition, Plum has noted his freshman class of Pioneers as a positive going into the season. Ella Bouwman — the younger sister of Fort Calhoun all-stater Grayson Bouwman — Maelie Nelson, Jovi Greiner and their classmates went 20-2 as eighth-graders and now find themselves in a position to contribute on the high school team.
“We have a lot more people to work with,” Bench said. “So, I think we can get a lot more done and win some more games compared to previous years.”
After Jamboree exhibition play Monday against Oakland-Craig and Ralston, the Pioneers officially start their season 6:30 p.m. Friday at Fremont Bergan. Coach Plum's team then plays at 2:30 a day later in Syracuse.
