Girls basketball season preview: Stellar guard play has Lake Travis optimistic

Lake Travis is now part of the conversation when one thinks of Central Texas girls basketball.

Following years of mediocrity, the Cavs have reached the playoffs three seasons in a row. Last year, they set a school record for wins with 25, won a share of a district title and defeated a Westlake team that included three future Division I players on it.

Regarded as one of the better teams in the area entering this season, Lake Travis looks ready to build on that reputation with all of its young talent.

The Cavs returns what arguably could be the best backcourt in Central Texas in junior Raeven Boswell and sophomore Mia Galbraith, and fourth-year coach Kevin Bussinger is high on his roster overall.

“I feel really, really good about our talent,” said Bussinger, who has led the program to 64 wins in three seasons, including 49 the last two. “We’re excited for this year. We did graduate some really good players who played key minutes for us, but we’re bringing in youth to replace them, and these girls have had nothing but success. Talent is not going to be our problem. Our biggest thing will be coming together. We just need time in the gym.”

Boswell earned third-team, all-Centex honors from the American-Statesman as a sophomore while leading the Cavs in scoring with 15.1 points per game and grabbing more than four rebounds a contest. A future Division I player, Boswell has already had interest from multiple Power 5 schools. Now an upperclassman, she takes on more of a leadership role.

“With our program, we’re all leaders, just in different aspects,” Boswell said. “With me, I feel like (Bussinger) wants me to be a vocal leader and try to get the girls to do what they’re best at. We do have a bond as a team, and with that bond, I feel we can go far.”

Galbraith broke onto the scene as a freshman, averaging just less than 11 points and was a finalist for the all-Centex Newcomer of the Year. She shot 49% from inside the three-point arc.

Both Boswell and Galbraith are threats to score more than 20 every time they step on the floor and possess the ability to drive or shoot three-pointers.

“Having them back, it hopefully makes my job a whole lot easier,” Bussinger said with a laugh. “They’re so experienced and have talent and athleticism, and that makes up for a lot of mistakes by their coach and teammates. … They just have the talent to make plays.”

With double-digit scoring forward Jackie Cilliers now playing at Mary Hardin-Baylor and the rest of the 2020 class that featured a fair amount of height gone, Lake Travis may play as many as five guards at a time.

Outside of Boswell and Galbraith, Bussinger doesn’t have any other starters set in stone, but junior guard Brooke Hart and senior guard Kate Gordon saw plenty of action last year, and seniors Aspen Hix and Montana Wright provide options in the post.

Sophomore guard Lexi Clements and junior guard Peyton Ferrell should figure heavily into the playing rotation, especially when the Cavs go guard-heavy. Senior Kaylie Marchiorlatti and juniors Jade Kirkpatrick and Riley Neises have also put in time on a varsity floor.

“We’re looking pretty athletic, gelling well with personalities, and everyone is kind of getting into positions and filling roles, and that’s exciting,” said Gordon, who can also play in the post with a smaller lineup. “We really like each other as a team, so it’s fun to be back together after such a long break.”

Being a team heavy on guards, look for Lake Travis to run, press and shoot more three-pointers. The faster a game goes, the more beneficial it should be for the Cavs.

“I love how our team is more of a ball-handling team,” said Galbraith, who particularly flourishes in the open floor. “We can play faster on both sides of the ball, and having more guards opens up more options on dribble-drive. It opens more positions and gives other guards space to not only create for themselves but also for the team.”

With teams only being allowed 27 regular-season games, Lake Travis likely won’t be able to set the school record for wins for the third year in a row, but the Cavs should continue to pile up wins, compete for a district title and be a threat to win multiple playoff games.

“We have a lot of high hopes,” Bussinger said. “These girls as a whole have been nothing but successful, and there’s a lot to be said to be used to winning and expecting to win. No matter who we put on the floor, we’re expecting them to be successful.”