craigdailypress.com

There isn’t one player more than six-feet tall among Moffat County High School girls varsity basketball forwards.

There isn’t a starter left from last year’s team.

And, most importantly, there isn’t a problem with that.

The team knows it won’t tower over its opponents.

Instead, they plan on running around them.

Senior Lindsey Yoast said this year’s post players are a collection of athletic forwards with a skill set unlike other teams in the Western Slope League.

“We are definitely a lot faster this year,” she said. “We take care of the ball — everyone can handle the ball on this team.”

Without last year’s starting five — the 4A academic state champions — the team will be forced to find offense from new sources.

Gone are league all-conference selections Courtney Edington and Alicia Nelson, honorable mentions Ariel Sanchez and Danette Crofts and outstanding sportsmanship winner Kylie Bauman.

This team, however, has the makings of something special, players and coaches said.

Three seniors return, but the big news is the class of 2011.

With juniors Nike Cleverly, Maddy Jourgensen, Justine Hathhorn, Britteny Ivers, Callie Papoulas and Lauren Roberts all in the fold, Moffat County has its front- and backcourts for the next two years.

With Lauren Roberts and Yoast, the Bulldogs still will command a presence in the paint.

Roberts was an almost unanimous choice among her teammates as the Bulldogs best rebounder, while Yoast is a hard-working forward capable of giving Moffat County quality minutes.

Yoast also was voted as the best offensive post player in a vote among the other forwards.

Yoast said the challenges this year will come from two familiar opponents.

“Steamboat and Glenwood are both going to be good,” she said. “They have the height advantage, and we are faster.”

But with Steamboat Springs in the hunt, the Bulldogs know who lurks in the paint.

“For me, Steamboat will be tough because of Colleen,” Roberts said of Colleen King, a 6-foot-1-inch forward, anchors the paint for the Sailors.

To overcome taller post players, Moffat County will rely on 3-guards capable of crashing the boards inside and draining outside shots.

Ivers and Moser will both see time at forward, giving Moffat County the potential to outrun its opponents.

Moser is an athletic forward who brings experience to the frontcourt.

Knowing teams such as Glen­wood Springs, Rifle and Steamboat Springs could tower over the Bulldogs doesn’t phase the senior.

“We’re little,” Moser said. “But we have enough power that it doesn’t really matter.”

Ivers has the height of a small forward with the shooting touch of a two-guard.

The track and field athlete said Moffat County can overcome its height disadvantage with hard work.

“This is a team full of sprinters,” Ivers said. “Everyone on this team is fast."