SKANEATELES - It has been a rebuilding year for the Skaneateles girls basketball team.

When the season began, there were only two returning senior players, co-captains Hillary Pundt and Heather Woodford.

While this made for a rocky start to the season, with a 1-9 record by the midpoint, it in no way dampened the enthusiasm of the Lakers, who have rallied back to a 5-15 finish. The Section III, Class B1 playoffs begin for Skaneateles tonight, at Sherburne-Earlville.

"We decided we've got to do something good," said head coach Bob Braunitzer. "So we set a goal to win four out of the next 10 games, and we did it. Setting little goals for each individual and the whole team has really helped us to come together."

It is never an easy task for a team made up of mostly underclassmen to find its rhythm on the court, but according to Braunitzer it coming along.

"I have to give credit to the two older girls (Pundt and Woodford)," Braunitzer said. "They are great leaders and they have made it comfortable for the younger kids and shown them the way, and the younger players are learning to be good leaders."

"We try to set examples as leaders to look up to," Pundt said. "We try to help build confidence and diligence to always finish and keep going and have fun."

From the batch of younger players, 14-year-old freshman point guard Caryn Crary has distinguished herself by leading the team in points (135), assists (37) and steals (88), including 14 in just one game.

"Being point guard puts a lot of pressure on her," Braunitzer said. "She is out there, right in the mix. But I've been coaching her probably since the 3rd or 4th grade, and I knew she was ready to come up. As a whole team we've been steady, and she is one who has really blossomed."

For a freshman to step right into varsity competition can be intimidating, but Crary said she has taken it in stride.

"At first I was nervous," Crary said. "But now I'm used to it. And we are used to each other more. If we were playing in the beginning of the year like we are now, I think we'd have done a lot better."

Braunitzer said that Crary has a high basketball I.Q.

"She knows what to do," Braunitzer said. "She worked through the summer and has worked to get her left hand a lot better."

Crary said basketball has been a part of her life since second grade, and that she is dedicated to improving on her skills.

"My dad has helped me a lot," Crary said. "And my neighbor and teammate, Staci Dudden, and I play a lot on weekends and in the summer time, and I work on strength training."

While her defensive game has been Crary's greatest strength, Braunitzer said that her offensive strengths have really blossomed.

"She has been doing a fantastic job," Braunitzer said. "I expected her defense, but she has been right up there in scoring. She is able to create opportunities to score."

While all this success might go to a player's head, Crary said she and her teammates keep her in check.

"I don't like to be cocky," Crary said. "I told my teammates that if I'm ever cocky, to tell me not to be that way."

Both Braunitzer and Crary are looking forward to the next few season of working together to build the team back up.

"We know there is a long way to go," Braunitzer said. "She is not as good as she is going to be yet, but when she gets there she is going to be a nice player."

"I know we're going to be fine," Crary said. "I'm looking forward to the next few seasons and I just hope to keep improving."

The Citizen sports department can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 258 or citizensports@lee.net