SpringfieldNewsSun.com

It wasn't long ago that Molly Earley was taking on double teams in the post at Northwestern High School.

Now known as Molly Cary, she'll be patrolling the sidelines for the Warriors in a different capacity — as girls basketball coach.

Cary took over for Sam McGinnis, who resigned at the end of the season.

"I don't think when I was a player I thought about coming back," Cary said. "Over time, I realized it's a great community and a great school system."

Northwestern finished the season 7-14 last year.

Cary was named Clark County Miss Basketball for the 1999-2000 season. She led the Warriors to an appearance in the Division III regional finals, averaging 14.5 points and eight rebounds a game as a senior. She graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder.

Cary played at Cedarville University and coached the Warriors' eighth-grade team last season. She also teaches seventh-grade science at Northwestern Middle School.

The Warriors have already started getting ready for next season, participating in Cedarville University's team camp this week. They have several players returning from last year's team, but lose to graduation Springfield News-Sun All-Area Co-Player of the Year Aubrey Siemon, who broke Cary's career marks in scoring and rebounding. Siemon has since followed in Cary's footsteps to Cedarville.

"We want to be competitive," Cary said. "I think we're in a really good position, but we have a lot of work to do."

Still, the Northwestern alumna is more than ready to return to her alma mater as head coach.

"I'm pretty excited about the season," Cary said. "It's going to be fun."

Contact this reporter at

(937)

328-0365 or

mcooper@coxohio.com.