Raiders poised for a great season

WILLIAMSBURG — Watch out for the Raiders this season.

Head coach Stephanie Dacey is in her third season as the Williamsburg girls’ basketball coach, and she’s excited about the makeup of the roster this season.

“We have the perfect mix of leadership and experience to go along with our young, talented athletes,” Dacey said. “I think, as a program, we’re finally getting to a place we can be consistent.”

The Raiders are coming off their best record since the state tournament team of 2014, going 14-9 and making it to the second round of regional play.

The departed senior class has had a lot to do with the culture change of the Raiders’ girls basketball program.

“They left the program better than they found it,” Dacey said. “Just in the type of teammates they were each and every day. They left a bigger mark than just the stats.”

A bulk of last season’s production returns for the Raiders. Their top six leading scorers from last season are back. Five are all-conference players.

Carly Rich, who led the Raiders in points last season, was also selected third-team all state last season in 3A.

Other all-conference returners are Kennedy Skaggs, Zoe Allen, Ava Hocker and Makenna Hughes.

“We are going to have great depth this year,” Dacey said.

The WaMaC will always be a competitive conference, with four state qualifying teams last season, including the Class 3A and 4A state champions, Solon and Clear Creek Amana.

Still, the Raiders have some big goals for this season.

“We want to win a WaMaC West championship,” Dacey said. “Ultimately my focus is going to be getting better every single day and practice, and hopefully be in a position to play in March.”

The season begins for the Raiders Nov. 30 at Rivalry Saturday, hosted by Kirkwood Community College.

The showcase includes marquee matchups in all five classes. All 16 of the teams are ranked in the early preseason Gazette polls.

The Raiders will play the early tip at 9 a.m. against Class 3A No. 8 Monticello. The Raiders are ranked 11th in The Gazette preseason poll.

“It’s a great honor to play in this game and event,” Dacey said.

Rivalry Saturday Slate

(Last season’s record)

9 a.m. — 3A No. 8 Monticello (20-4) vs. 3A No. 11 Williamsburg (14-9)

10:40 a.m. — 1 A No. 3 Montezuma (20-5) vs. 2A No. 15 Maquoketa Valley (15-9)

12:20 p.m. — 1A No. 2 Riceville (22-2) vs. 1A No. 7 North Linn (26-1)

2 p.m. — 4A No. 3 Sioux City Heelan (23-2) vs. 5A No. 8 Cedar Rapids Prairie (16-5)

3:40 p.m. — 3 A No. 1 Estherville-Lincoln Central (24-3) vs. 3A No. 2 Mount Vernon (22-4)

5:20 p.m. — 5A No. 3 Ankeny Centennial (14-9) vs. 5A No. 4 Pleasant Valley (19-5)

7 p.m. — 2A No. 1 Eddyville EBF (23-2) vs. 2A No. 3 Cascade (17-7)

8:40 p.m. — 4A No. 4 Clear Creek Amana (26-0) vs. 4A No. 6 Maquoketa (20-4)