The Oakton Community College women’s basketball team is eagerly embracing the idea of each member doing more this season.
With just six players on the roster at the start of the season, Owls players are working overtime to make sure their endurance is on point.
“Getting my body in the best shape possible will only help me with my endurance and make our team more successful,” Maddie McTague of Des Plaines, the team’s starting center, said in a press release.
As part of her plan, McTague has been toiling nonstop in the weight room and running whenever possible.
Coach Melissa Rauschenberg has taken notice of all the added effort, and much of it has left her further emboldened.
“Having a limited number of players will not stop us,” she said. “I always make strength and stamina a priority for the team. I push for each individual to reach their highest potential. If the team is in great shape physically and mentally, we can compete for a conference title and go far in the postseason. This group has the heart, hustle and discipline to be extremely successful.”
Now in her fourth season, Rauschenberg says she particularly sees bigger things coming from McTague, who averaged 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as a freshman.
“Maddie is entering this year with a tougher attitude with her increased strength,” Rauschenberg said. “She will be a scoring threat in the post and a leader on and off the court for her teammates.”
McTague is joined on the roster by first-year point guard Angelina Apostolou, freshmen Ava Gardner, Maggie Haderlein and Jasmine Cetinbag and forward Marian Ismail, the team’s only other returning player from last season, when she averaged 6.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
Alerts Sign-up