Reigning AGR Player of the Year to miss season: Can Webster Schroeder defend state title?

Webster Schroeder's path to a second consecutive Class AA New York state title hit a preseason road bump.

As Schroeder players take the court this weekend, they do so without reigning All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year Mariah Watkins.

Watkins, a senior forward, will miss the 2023-24 winter season after suffering a torn ACL in her left knee. Along with her AGR selection, Watkins was named first team all-state in Class AA by the New York State Sportswriters Association last season.

Teammates were informed of Watkins' impending absence last Saturday, prior to a preseason scrimmage.

"Obviously she's a fantastic basketball player but also a fantastic young lady," Schroeder coach Codi Mrozek said. "It's just heartbreaking that this happened to her, especially after a historic season that she had personally.

"It's people first, and the basketball part we'll figure out."

Bookmark this: Section V girls basketball scores for the 2023-24 season

With Watkins' absence, Schroeder loses a player that averaged 24.4 points and 10 rebounds per game last winter, while also leading the team in steals.

Her contributions, Mrozek said, go beyond statistics. As a five-year varsity player, Watkins was Schroeder's most experienced player and primary leader.

"You can always rely on her to take over the game in big moments," Mrozek said.

Watkins' younger sister Bria, the team's starting guard and another All-Greater Rochester selection last season, said the injury news was "devastating."

"It was really tough," Bria Watkins said. "We all took it to heart because she's such an important member of our team. She'll still be there with us on the sideline, but it'll be super tough not having her on the court with us."

Webster Schroeder girls basketball returns talent from last season

While Watkins is a major loss, Schroeder still boasts continuity in its lineup as four other starters from last season return. That includes Ava Gallup and Sarah Ferruzza, fresh off winning the Class AA volleyball state title in the fall (Ferruzza was also a member of Schroeder's state title-winning softball team last spring), to couple with Bria Watkins and Mya Perales.

Addison Morgan, who contributed crucial minutes off the bench last season, is expected to replace Mariah Watkins in the starting lineup.

"Obviously my phone is blowing up about Mariah, but everybody says, ‘You guys will be fine,'" Mrozek said. "We know we have talent, but we’ll piece it together without her and make sure everyone’s feeling confident."

Confidence will be required in an uber-competitive Section V. While 2022-23 section semifinalist Fairport bumps to newly-minted Class AAA, Schroeder will still compete with annual contenders like Penfield (last year's runner-up) and Bishop Kearney (2021-22 state champion).

Class AA also welcomes Canandaigua, last season's Class A section champion and NYSPHSAA finalist.

Noting the upcoming gauntlet, Perales said the team is dialed in on a "next game, next play mentality," an adage that served Schroeder well last winter. With the team's sturdy foundation still in place, Mrozek hopes building blocks through the season will have her group playing its best come February and March.

"I don't think the goal is another state championship. It's really hard to do," Mrozek said. "As far as expectations, we know what we're capable of and what we can do, but they've shifted a little bit with Mariah being hurt. It's back to reality, that we've got to come to work every day because nothing is guaranteed.

"I think our girls are learning that and if anything will be more resilient this season."

Schroeder opened the season Friday night with a win over Webster Thomas.

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Mariah Watkins to miss season for Webster Schroeder girls basketball