TAYLOR-MADE: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Taylor States dribbles past a foe in a game last season. Junior forward States, the team’s leading returning scorer, is primed for another big season. Stuart will be tipping off its 2024-25 season by playing at the Wilberforce School on December 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Tony Bowman sees strength in numbers with his Stuart Country Day School basketball team as it heads into this winter.

“I have 13 kids, I have never had that many since I have been here,” said Stuart head coach Bowman who guided the Tartans to a 6-6 record last season. “It is great for the team. I am hoping for a better quality of play this year because I have a different mix. They have shown to be resilient and they work hard.”

Bowman believes he will be getting quality play from a backcourt that includes senior Anna Rose Bourgoin, junior Abby Chirik, freshman Lia States, junior Leila Hernandez-Lewis, and sophomore Celia Struve-Auletta.

“Lia brings outside shooting and ball control,” said Bowman, whose team will be tipping off its 2024-25 season by playing at the Wilberforce School on December 18. “With Lia there, the division of the floor should be better. It gives Anna Rose the chance to take the two (shooting guard) which will help her shooting. Now she is just not bringing the ball up because Lia can take the one (point guard), that is a process though. I am not going to put her there until I know she is ready. Abby is a good all-around athlete. She is a workhorse, she has a good outside jumper and is good on defense. Leila missed last year, she would have helped us out a lot. She is probably one of the quickest players on the team. Celia is doing well, she has flashes.”

At forward, junior Taylor States, the team’s leading returning scorer, is primed for another big season.

“Taylor looks good, she has been playing well,” said Bowman of States, who piled up 262 points and 138 rebounds last season. “We are looking for big things from her this year. We are looking to see what she can do; she should put up big numbers scoring and rebounding.”

Along with States, sophomore Myah Chennault, freshman Thalia Hernandez-Lewis, sophomore Betsy Murphy, senior Rachel Enimil-Ashun, and sophomore Hadassah Broughton will provide production in the paint.

“Myah is the most athletic person on the team,” said Bowman. “She makes a difference; if she does well, we will do better. Thalia is probably going to play the three (small forward), four (power forward), and five (center). She is a good outside shooter and has good ball control. She is versatile. Betsy is a workhouse. Rebounding and defense are the things I need her to do and she does them well. She listens well. Rachel is a good leader, she will play the four or five. Hadassah is my defensive dog, she plays the two or three. She is a beast on defense. I want everybody on my team to be like her.”

In Bowman’s view, deploying his deeper roster to play tighter defense should lead to a solid season.

“The best thing for us and our big onus this year is defense, you will see the difference on defense for sure,” said Bowman. “With the 13 kids I have, I can do a lot of different things. I have different talent levels so that helps as well. I am optimistic. I am excited and I am looking forward to this year for sure, especially because I have 21 games.”