16 hours Ago By SAMEER MALLA [email protected]
A fresh face can do wonders for a program. Katelyn Hallgren -- formerly Katelyn McNamara -- has jumpstarted the Moline Maroons to a 4-2 record to begin the season. The Maroons are coming off records of 6-22 and 5-24 the past two years, but a new coaching regime has helped the Maroons find early-season success “We are approaching the win total already in the beginning of December, so I am happy about that,” Hallgren said.
Hallgren brought three years of Davenport Assumption state tournament expertise to a Moline squad that features four seniors, two juniors and five sophomores. Joining her are assistant coaches Samantha Lammers, Michelle Hollenback and Darrick Reaves. “It has been a whirlwind since I was hired back in March,” Hallgren said.
"I was impressed with the very first time I walked into the gym and saw the girls play. Wait ..
. what was their record last year? They competed and wanted to get better. We only had three days off in all of June and we learned a lot.
We came out with some really good wins and that is starting to pay off. We are starting to see it all come together.” People are also reading.
.. So far, she has seen the success on the court, with a second-place finish at the Thanksgiving Mark Einwich Kickoff Tournament.
The Maroons defeated the likes of Aurora East (54-24), Central (53-37), Rockford Auburn (77-59) and Geneseo (70-28), with the sole tournament loss (70-37) from an undefeated St. Charles North team (5-0) that reached the Class 4A sectional semifinals with a 27-5 record last season. “We had a really great start at our Thanksgiving tournament, and I was really impressed and proud with how we came out and competed at that tournament against good competition,” Hallgren said.
Leading the way for the Maroons are two seniors and a sophomore, all captains. DeAjah Buchanan, one of four seniors on the roster, was named to the All-Tournament team this past weekend. Aniya Dixon, one of five sophomores, was unanimously voted as captain by her teammates.
The other is senior Tahlea Tirrell. “I am really proud of (the trio),” Hallgren said. "I do think they realize that they are stronger together than they are apart, and I have never had to address that.
It is not about the individuals, but it is about all of them, and they get that.” The 5-5 Buchanan is averaging 11 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for the Maroons.
Dixon, at 5-6, is contributing another 10 points and 9.6 rebound. Both are averaging three assists per game.
“Aniya does not act as a sophomore at all,” Hallgren said. "She is a leader on the team, and because of that, she also helps our seniors, too, to have trust in our younger kids. Tirrell has a drive that is unmatched when it comes to competing.
She knows how to be coached, and how to work on her weaknesses and strengthen her strengths. That is all you can really ask for as a coach.” Buchanan and Dixon believe the success the Maroons are enjoying comes from improved camaraderie and understanding from a new head coach.
“Attitude-wise, the team has gotten a lot more positive,” Dixon said. “I felt like we have had more of a sisterly bond (this season). A lot of us have gotten more serious and put more effort into the offseason as well this year.
“Having a woman to coach us is nice,” Dixon continued. “She understands us, believes in us, and continues to show that she is never going to give up on us. She really pushes the team to want to be great, because we have a coach who is willing to fight for us.
We want to fight for her as well while we are on the court.” Buchanan had a similar vantage point from season-to-season, as a senior. “There were a lot of complicated things going on last season.
There were a lot of ups and downs, but mainly downs last season,” Buchanan said. “This season, we have had a lot of ups. We have a different mindset.
It is more about the players, because the coaches can only tell us what to do and what they see. We are growing more this season compared to the past two seasons.” Buchanan appreciates Hallgren has brought to the team.
“Coach Hallgren is a great coach,” Buchanan said. "She believes in us a lot. She definitely has our backs.
Because she is a woman coach, that makes it better, because she understands our point of view on many different things. She is a coach who is going to help us get where we want to be.” The Maroons open Western Big 6 play with two tough games this week, hosting Galesburg (5-1, 1-0) on Thursday at 7 p.
m. before playing at Alleman (5-1, 1-0) on Saturday at 1:30. “We definitely have no off weeks,” Hallgren said of the upcoming stretch of WB6 games.
“There is always someone who we have to prepare for and be ready for, so it is going to keep us on our toes. There is so much talent in the area and in the Western Big 6. Coming into the WB6, I felt very welcomed, but when the ball goes up, we are all competing against each other.
But at the end of the day, everyone is helpful in helping me navigate this side of the river. I am thankful and excited to be a part of the WB6.” Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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