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Mark Morris Girls: Monarchs focus on the details this season

By Joshua Hart, Columbian sports reporter
Published: December 20, 2019, 3:27pm

Mark Morris coach Sean Atkins learned some things during a winless season last year. The biggest lesson? There are no shortcuts.

“Last year I felt like I tried to take some shortcuts to expedite things,” Atkins said. “That didn’t do the kids any service.”

This year, Atkins is taking a more hard-line approach to the little things. “I’m being a stickler for details,” he said.

The fifth-year coach doesn’t expect another winless campaign from his team. The Monarchs return two all-league mentions in senior guard Katie Troy and senior post Jacie Rismoen.

Lily Koski-Haase improved over the offseason and freshmen Brooklyn Schlecht, a 5-8 guard, and Emma Fisher, a 5-9 post, are going to immediately contribute.

“This team is much more athletic,” Atkins said. “We’re going to try to press a little more and push the ball up the floor.”

The elevated talent pool has Atkins thinking playoffs — “our goal is to try to sneak into that fifth spot” — but he also knows the mindset has to be different coming off a winless season. The Monarchs were outscored by an average of 40 points per game last season. It was Atkins’ first losing season as head coach.

“They don’t take any game for granted,” Atkins said. “They’re excited to get back out and change their name.”

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Columbian sports reporter