Toni Sargent is in her first year as Fort Madison High School’s girls basketball coach, but she wishes her father was still the coach.
Tony Sargent died this summer, and now it is up to his daughter to lead to the Bloodhounds.
“The biggest challenge taking over the head coaching job is a couple things,” Toni Sargent said in an email interview. “one is just the adjustment from being the assistant to the head coach in general. Not only the added responsibilities but everyone is new. New (athletic director), new AD secretary, as well as all new coaching staff. The other challenge for me is just being in this environment that I shared with my dad.
“I miss him, we all miss him.”
The Bloodhounds have opened their season with two wins, defeating Ottumwa 34-25 and Davis County 58-33.
It’s a strong start for Fort Madison, which has 13 players on the roster.
“I have learned that they can adapt to change,” Sargent said. “I can’t say enough how proud I am of these girls.”
There is experience on the roster with Camille Kruse, Molly Knipe, Irelynd Sargent, Ajia Jenkins and Taylor Johnson having plenty of varsity playing time.
Kruse has averaged 15 points in the first two games, with Knipe and Ireland Sargent averaging 7 1/2 points. Kruse and Knipe are the lone seniors on the roster.
"Camille Kruse and Molly Knipe have really stepped up as leaders for us this year. They both work so hard. These girls were freshmen when Dad and I first started coaching in (Fort Madison),” Sargent said. “I have had the privilege of watching them grow on and off the court.”
Sargent has gone nine deep in the first two games.
“We also have several freshmen that will see their fair share of playing time — Dayonna Davis, Halle Menke, and Hadley Wolfe are likely to all see valuable minutes,” Sargent said. “Only look for us to get better as the season goes along."
Other freshmen on the radar are Dynasty Bell and Mara Smith. Sophomore Brylie Lorence is back out after not touching a basketball for a few years and has been showing potential in practice and games.
“We are a young squad but I think we will surprise some people this season.”
It is that depth that will help the Bloodhounds this season.
“I would say our depth from our bench this year will be a huge asset,” Sargent said. “We have struggled with numbers on and off these past few seasons and not being able to have a JV team. I think this is an all-over problem as the number of girls participating in high school basketball has declined. I also think our speed and athleticism will be difficult for some teams to match up well with us.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here