It’s an experienced group of Helias Lady Crusaders. And they are going to try to use that experience to their advantage. “We are adding new stuff, bringing back some old stuff,” Helias coach Garrett Wiggans said as the Lady Crusaders prepare for tonight’s season opener against the Blair Oaks Lady Falcons at Rackers Fieldhouse. “We are evolving our game.”
The Helias Lady Crusaders weren’t going to go away. Trailing 2-0 after just three batters Tuesday against the Southern Boone Lady Eagles, the Lady Crusaders knew their was plenty of game yet to be played. “It’s tough to have to battle and claw our way back, but I’m proud of the way we did it today,” Helias coach Kelly Fick said after the Lady Crusaders defeated the Lady Eagles 7-4 at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
The numbers are there. The Helias Lady Crusaders return eight starters from a softball team that finished second in the Class 4 state tournament last fall. That should have the Lady Crusaders thinking about a second straight trip to Springfield in October for the Final Four. But the Lady Crusaders aren’t getting ahead of themselves.
The Helias Lady Crusaders got the shot they wanted, it just didn’t fall. The Lady Crusaders had a potential tying 3-pointer rattle off the rim at the buzzer Wednesday night as Helias dropped a 56-53 decision to the Lutheran: St. Charles Cougars in a meeting of Class 5 ranked teams at Rackers Fieldhouse.
The Helias Lady Crusaders are coming off a Class 4 Final Four appearance. Bumped up to Class 5, they are looking for a similar finish to this season. “I hesitate to call it pressure, it’s more our expectation,” Helias coach Garrett Wiggans said as the Lady Crusaders prepared for tonight’s season opener against Blair Oaks in Wardsville. “If you go around to any high school or any athlete, you’re going to hear Final Four or a state championship as their ultimate goal."