East Peoria’s core group of girls basketball players will have one more shot next year.
Four starters are eligible to return from the 2009-10 team that went 8-20 and finished eighth in the Mid-Illini Conference with a 2-12 records.
“All of us — coaches, players, parents — are disappointed when we look at the season in wins and losses,” EPCHS head coach Pete McGinnes said.
Twelve losses this year by 10 points or less against a tougher schedule prove the Raiders are competitive.
Compared with the previous year, East Peoria’s turnovers increased, its field-goal shooting remained the same and its free-throw accuracy still was below 60 percent.
If the Raiders’ improvements in those three areas were greater, they certainly could have won 12-15 games this winter and finished in the middle of the M-I.
Despite not getting the outcome it sought, East Peoria still has time to make a jump.
“There’s talent in this group,” McGinnes said. “They’ve got to put some time in to get better.”
Senior Emilee Brown concluded her career by tying Guin Rhodes’ record with 11 assists in a Nov. 28 win against Illini West.
Six was the magic number this year for several girls who produced marks that placed them among the top 10 all-time.
Junior Kelsey Shoemake was sixth in a single season in two categories with 212 rebounds and 84 made free throws.
In the No. 6 position with a .714 free-throw percentage for the year was Erica Harper, a junior.
Another junior, Carrie Myers, was sixth in a season with 83 assists.
“There were some good things individually for some people,” McGinnes said. “I’m pleased with those things.”
Among league teams, only Limestone and Morton will return more than East Peoria in ’10-11.
“This group knows what has to be done.” said McGinnes. “We have to find a way to win those close games.”
Two wins that stood out for McGinnes were Jan. 2 vs. Illinois Valley Central and Jan. 26 at Morton.
The 53-45 defeat for the state-ranked Grey Ghosts was their only one the entire regular season.
The Raiders’ 61-52 victory against the Potters snapped a 15-game losing skid against a Morton team that ultimately reached the Class 3A Champaign Sectional final.
East Peoria’s play at the Manual Holiday Tournament also was impressive. The girls were seeded 11th in a 12-team field, but earned the consolation championship.
Shoemake will receive a conference honor after leading the Raiders with 12.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. She also topped the team with 25 blocks.
