Durbin era enters final season

By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor 

Three years ago, Caroline Durbin stepped onto the court as a wide-eyed freshman with more natural ability than veteran savvy.

Now? The 6-foot senior guard and reigning District 25-5A Most Valuable Player will have to produce more than points if the Chaps hope to contend for a district title in a revamped and rugged conference.

“But she’s ready for that,” Westlake coach Keith Smith said. “It may seem like she’s a quiet kid on the court, but she’ really not. She wants to be a leader for this team, and I think that she’s ready to do some good things and help this team in a lot of ways.” 

With only three players returning from last season’s squad, Durbin will have plenty to do. The Chaps tallied a 23-10 record a year ago and finished second to Austin High in District 25-5A before falling in the first round of the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. They have just three seniors on the squad.

“We’re young and we’re not as big as we’ve been,” Smith said. “But I think that we’ll be quicker up and down the court, and we’ll need to be (in the new district).”

The UIL did little favors to Westlake’s basketball program and their Austin school district counterparts during last February’s realignment. Pflugerville and Pflugerville Connally replaced San Marcos and Seguin, and both teams bring a wealth of playoff success to the district.

In addition, Austin High must replace the bulk of its roster but should contend for a spot in the postseason.

“Just getting to the playoffs will be tough,” Smith said. “But I think that the district will make us tougher. It’ll feel like we’ve been through the playoffs by the time we get through district.”

Any hopes Westlake has of reaching the playoffs begins with the duo of Durbin and Courtney Duever. Durbin, who committed to the University of New Mexico last month, scored a district-high 17.9 points a game last year on 47.6-percent shooting and pulled down 5.4 rebounds a game. She can attack the rim and nail long jumpers, hitting 47.6-percent of her three-point shots.

In comparison, Duever does her damage in the paint with a physical style that belies her touch around the basket. The junior joined Durbin on the all-district team a year ago after averaging 15.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals a game, and Smith says she has even extended her range to the three-point line.

“And she’s really learning how to avoid foul trouble,” Smith said. “She’s just so aggressive that she gets in trouble, but she’s gotten a lot better about staying on the floor. We need her on the court, not sitting by me.”

The Chaps’ supporting staff will have to better its production if Westlake hopes to contend with Pflugerville and Connally for the district title. Last season, Duever and Durbin combined to average 33.1 points per game. Their teammates combined to average 18. 7 points a contest.

“We need to find other scorers, no doubt,” Smith said. “But I think the girls we have this year can all play, and we’ll probably use everyone each game.”

Cherrell Mays, a 5-6 sophomore, has earned the starting point-guard role, and Smith hopes she can strengthen what has become a traditionally weak position for the Chaps. The daughter of former University of Texas  and NBA player Travis Mays has good shooting range, toughness, and “great footwork on defense,” says Smith.

Senior Ivana Gomez (5-7), who had limited playing time a year ago, started in last week’s season opener and brings rugged defense and rebounding to the court, according to Smith. 

Kayla Ball, a 5-10 junior, excels around the basket, and 6-2 sophomore Jackie Manzano adds depth and a physical presence in the paint.

Junior Karlee Bell will see plenty of action in the backcourt, along with Natalie Vermillion, Lauren Ambrose and Kelli Bechtol.