Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Gracie Betts is one of three CR captains this season.

By Ray Hamill — The Corsairs have some big shoes to fill on the basketball court this year, but the development of an improving sophomore class will definitely help.

Gone form last year’s playoff team are all-state selection Ashley Quigley and all-conference selection Makaila Napoleon, two players who had a substantial impact with the team.

But as the Redwoods women get set to tip off the new season at the Delta College tournament this weekend, three sophomores in particular look ready to lead the way.

Gracie Betts and Rachel Valdez both played a significant role on last year’s team and both were named team captains this week along with Kendall Stewart, who has taken on a much bigger presence within the squad.

“Kendall Stewart has really stepped up this preseason,” head coach Jain Tuey said. “She’s a leader. She’s been vocal, she’s playing well and she’s shooting really well.

“Gracie and Rachel are healthy and have taken on that role as well. They’re getting the freshmen up to speed.”

Kathryce Danzuka also is back and ready to play a bigger role, as is Hoopa’s multi-sport standout Nas-Che-Wen Hunsucker.

Fortuna’s Lily Shelton is also back for her sophomore season, while another former Husky, Ronee Norwood, joins the team along with South Fork’s Natalie Roberts.

Two former CR volleyball players, Adriannan Slaybaugh and Kallie Schoenbachler also join the team this year and the head coach expects their collegiate experience as athletes to help some of the young players make the adjustment.

Rounding out a 12-player roster, newcomer Lilianna Hoban from Sonoma High is expected to have an immediate impact.

Kendall Stewart

“She’s a very physical, aggressive player,” Tuey said of the forward who plays tough defense. “She has grown a lot in the last couple of months.”

Hoban is expected to start this weekend, along with Betts, Stewart and Valdez, while Tuey admits she is still tinkering with the lineup and does not have a lot of depth at the post position.

“They work really hard and they bring a lot of energy and intensity,” the head coach said. “And I’m excited to see that energy on the court.

“They’ll be a gritty team and we’ll have to work for some wins.”

The CR women open the eight-team weekend tournament on Friday at 3 p.m. against College of the Sequoias, and Tuey is expecting to see some good competition.

“It’s going to be a test for us having not played any real scrimmages,” she said. “And I’m just excited to get them on the court and show them the intensity level the junior college level brings.”

The Corsairs did not play any preseason scrimmages against other collegiate teams, just their alumni game and a couple of intra-squad scrimmages.

Also back this season is assistant coach Darren Turpin, who has been highly-influential within the program over the past few seasons, while former CR player Bobbie Purify joins the coaching staff and her presence is already being felt.

“I love having her here,” Tuey said of Purify. “She brings a lot of energy. She’s just fresh out of college so I feel the girls can relate to her really well.

“She’s kind of a breath of fresh air.”

The CR women play their home opener against Marin on Nov. 22.