Power excited as ever about Fenwick girls basketball

If Fenwick girls basketball coach Dave Power looks a little tired these days, it’s not because of old age.

The second-winningest girls basketball coach in state history is just amped up for what the Friars might do this winter.

“I’m so excited for this season because the girls from the first practice have really pushed themselves,” Power said. “They do a lot of running and conditioning. Just watching them is exhausting.”

It’s safe to say the Friars are tired of mediocrity after three consecutive losing seasons. Last year’s 21 losses were the most by a Power-coached team in his four-decade career.

“The team chemistry is clicking,” Power said. “They’re ready to win some games.

“Now let’s see if we can get off to a good start. We want to contend for the (title of) the first tournament of the season.”

There is reason for optimism despite last year’s struggles. Fenwick returns three seniors and two juniors who all started at least part-time last season.

Seniors Chance Baggett, Kelly Carpenter and Mackenzie Berschel will provide good leadership and are battle-tested.

The 6-foot Carpenter is the main post player, while Baggett and Berschel are strong guards. Berschel in particular is looking to impress after returning from a serious injury suffered late in her junior campaign.

Also back is All-Conference guard Kate Moore, a 5-10 junior who is versatile enough to play three positions.

“She plays some ‘1’ and a lot of ‘2’ and can play the ‘3,’” Power said. “She’s an excellent shooter. She has worked hard on her game.”

Another 5-10 junior, Mackenzie Blaze, also started as a sophomore and can play guard or forward.

“She’s looking strong,” Power said. “She has a willingness to attack the basket and draw contact.”

But the player who could end up running the show is sophomore point guard Gianna Ortiz, who was elevated to varsity midway through last season.

“I like her leadership,” Power said. “She can distribute and score.

“Last year she felt she had to score, but now she’s more comfortable distributing. There is a nice flow and bounce to her game.”

The same can be said for Fenwick’s lineup, which boasts experienced players at every position. The interior could be a strength with Carpenter, 6-0 junior Charlotte Quinn and 5-11 junior Margaret Planek all competing with playing time.

Planek and Quinn, the daughter of former Fenwick boys basketball coach John Quinn, starred for the volleyball team.

“She’s really competing for that top (post) spot,” Power said of Quinn. “She rebounds and really plays hard and is really aggressive.”

Katie Schneider, a 5-10 freshman who is the younger sister of former Fenwick swimming state champion Mimi Schneider, could join the mix at either forward spot. Tea Abraham, Lily Reardon and Sheila Hogan are the other top newcomers.

“The defense will be a little better,” Power said. “We can run with people.

“Our team can go with a quick lineup or a really banging lineup. We can put three big girls in a triangle and it will be hard for you to get a rebound.”

Wins have been hard to come by the past few seasons, but this group may already have built a strong foundation through dealing with last season’s adversity.

“They learned that they have to play four quarters,” Power said. “We had some excellent halves but we didn’t play complete games.

“We were knocking on the door at some big wins the last couple years, but we haven’t busted through.”

While the talent level is a far cry from the program’s salad days of the century’s opening decade, which saw the Friars win six state trophies, including two state championships, between 2000 and 2010, Power thinks they are headed in the right direction. Fenwick finished runner-up in the GCAC White and won a Class 3A regional title last winter before losing to Marshall.

“The upper class is one of the strongest we’ve had in many years,” Power said. “We’re getting to the point where it’s run like a college program and I think that’s a good thing because that’s the focus of Fenwick High School.

“We prepare you in the classroom to be ready for college and we’re going to do that on the basketball court if you choose to play in college.”