Speed, speed and more speed. That’s the key for the Foster girls basketball team this season.
Coach Datri Elliot has changed her focus this season to make the team a threat to run any opposition out of the gym.
“We’re working on getting up and down with lots of running, lots of conditioning,” Elliot said. “We’re fast.”
With that speed, Elliot plans to keep the Bulldogs thinking about defense first and have the offense flow from that. That means turnovers, fast break points, and usually limiting the offense to one shot before getting back on defense.
“I’m not too worried about the offense,” she said. “It’s just a matter of executing down the stretch.”
The leading returning scorer is senior Kirsten Goins. Goins averaged 5.3 points per game last season and was also a force inside, averaging eight rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.
“She will be a threat inside for sure,” Elliot said.
Senior transfer Eunyque Patu will help the team’s new pace.
“She has the ability to get up and down the floor very quickly,” Elliot said.
Another key is senior post Priscilla Donkor. Donkor averaged 4.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game last year. She came up especially big in the Bulldogs’ two big wins against Kennedy last season, when she averaged 11.5 points and 15 rebounds.
Donkor is a standout athlete who placed eighth at the state meet in discus last spring.
The team’s biggest change will be the absence of Sahara Hill, who has graduated. Hill was the team’s leader for several years. She led the team in scoring, rebounds and steals last season.
“It’s a huge adjustment without her,” Elliot said. “It will work as long as the girls play as a team to fill the void.”
Without Hill, Elliot said the group has had to develop excellent chemistry and come together as a team.
“It’s all about determination,” she said. “Our will, our way, our win.”
