Placer girls ready to roll with sophomore-heavy roster

Just because a team is young doesn't mean it lacks experience. That is the case for the Placer High School girls basketball team this season. The Hillgals have eight sophomores on the roster, including Ginger Biddle, who earned an all-league honor last season. Biddle is the lone returning starter, but head coach Tony Camillucci says there are several young players who were key contributors last season and are ready to step into a bigger role. "She worked so hard in the offseason. Her game has really come a long way," Camillucci said of Biddle. "She's stepped up and is going to be in a much bigger role leading the team this year." Placer also has four seniors in Olivia Thornton, Chloe Hollitz, Serena Sweet and Lydia White. Camillucci says they provide leadership on the floor and have helped the sophomores get up to speed. "I like this team's intensity and their willingness to learn. They pay attention and they work hard," Camillucci said. "We've got some good senior leadership and some sophomores that are stepping up in leadership roles as well. Those are all good things. We've also got some size and some shooters so we're pretty well-rounded." One addition to the lineup Camillucci is especially excited about is sophomore Brookelyn Dunkle, who made the varsity team last season but missed the year with a torn ACL. Camillucci says she has the potential to be one of the top players in the Foothill Valley League. "It's basically like a completely new year for her," Camillucci said, noting Dunkle is still getting her feet wet at the varsity level but he expects her to find her stride quickly. Placer has a list of other players who saw limited playing time a year ago that are ready to step up, including one Camillucci didn't expect at the beginning of the season. "Serena Sweet is a senior and was the quarterback for the flag football team," Camillucci said. "She hasn't played a lot of basketball before but she's come in and really turned our heads. She brings a lot of energy and physicality to the game, which will really help us down low." Camillucci also pointed out sophomore Breely Shriver as a player to keep an eye on, noting, "She played with us last year. She was injured early and then came off the bench all year. I think she's ready for a breakout year." Placer figures to be in the mix for an FVL title, as the league appears to be wide open. Camillucci said he doesn't know where the Hillgals stand in comparison to some of the newcomers to the league, but he has high expectations. "We should definitely be competing for a league title," Camillucci said. "From what I know, we should be competing for a league title and I'd be disappointed if we weren't in the mix for sure. There are higher expectations than last year for sure and every year after this. We'll have some tough preseason games and we might take their lumps here and there, but that was by design because we want to be challenged." Placer beat Oakmont 44-27 Wednesday night in a Foundation Game. The Hillgals will play their first official game Friday night at Rio Americano. Other nonleague highlights for Placer include home games against West Park (Nov. 23) and Union Mine (Nov. 26) and road games against Granite Bay (Dec. 3), Vista del Lago (Dec. 10), and Rio Linda (Dec. 17).