Tunkhannock’s Molly Hampsey makes a move to the basket while being guarded by teammates during practice on Wednesday. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN WOODRUFF

BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

Wyoming County Press Examiner

Tunkhannock Area’s girls’ basketball team returns to the court after finishing up its 2011-12 campaign with a 15-6 overall record under coach Amanda Golden.

The Tigers, despite graduating four seniors in Lisa Kintner, Kassie Williams, Amelia Ayers and Jenna Custer, return five experienced impact players.

Coming back for Tunkhannock are seniors Gabby Alguire, Ashley Nafus, Katie Proulx and Kanesha Bonner, along with junior Cheyenne Brown.

“This season we hope to continue to improve as a program as well as seeing each girl improve in their own game,” Golden said. “We finished last season with a tough loss, but also did many great things. We hope to pick up and continue to play to our full potential.”

The Tigers will look to every opponent in their division as a challenge this season.

“I can honestly say that I see every team as tough competition,” Golden said. “We cannot go into any game thinking that we will not have to work our butts off. We will have to play together as a team and perform well every time we step onto the floor.”

Golden said she has many tough athletes on the Tiger team this year, but will look to Alguire and Nafus to provide a backbone for Tunkhannock.

“Both girls are seniors and were freshmen the year I started coaching,” Golden said. “They are both hardnosed defenders and can be offensive threats.”

Alguire is a three-year returning starter on the perimeter and Nafus will be the inside go-to this year.

“Both have the capabilities to help this team in many ways this season,” Golden said.

Tunkhannock Area’s girls’ basketball team is comprised of seniors Alguire, Nafus, Bonner, Proulx and Amanda Grundman, juniors Brown, Ashley Knott, Amanda Nole, Haylee Underwood, Shequoya Bonner, Molly Hampsey, Meagan Wrubel, Mya Toczko, Traci Kromko, Brittany Sickler, Alyson Wilbur, and freshmen Kailey Reposa, Christine Rossi, Amanda Hardy, Maggie Sohns and Megan Manglaviti.

Tunkhannock Area’s girls’ basketball team kicks off its season on Friday, Dec. 7, with opening night of the Lady Tiger Tip-off Tournament at Tunkhannock at 5 p.m.

Full schedule:

Dec. 7-8, Lady Tiger Tip-Off, H, 5p.m.

Dec. 10, Wyoming Seminary, A, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 13, Scranton Prep, H, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 17, Wyoming Area, A, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 18, Susquehanna, A, 7 p.m.

Dec. 20, Abington Heights, A, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 22, North Pocono, H, 7 p.m.

Jan. 2, Hazleton, H, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 4, Wyo. Valley West, A, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 7, Berwick, H, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 10, Pittston, H, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 14, Dallas, A, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 17, Coughlin, A, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 21, Crestwood, A, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 24, Hazleton, A, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 28, Wyo. Valley West, H, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 31, Berwick, A, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 4, Pittston, A, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 7, Dallas, H, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 11, Coughlin, A, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 13, Crestwood, H, 7:15 p.m.