By Denise Tucker
The Wheatland Lady Mules are coming off a Class 1 District 6 title and a 22-7 record, before they fell to Walnut Grove in the sectional round, and have a good chance to compete for a district championship again this season.
The good news for Wheatland is that it lost only one starter and returns seven letter-winners from last season’s squad, which went 5-2 in the Polk County League to finish second.
The Mules’ 22 wins tied the school record for victories, and their 22-7 record is the best winning percentage in school history.
Gone are forward Ashley Poley and guard August Shields. Poley averaged 4 points per game and Shields brought consistency to the team.
Wheatland returns a veteran group led by 5-5 junior Gracie Fatino, a first-team All-PCL selection who averaged 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.1 steals per game. Ashley Horton, 5-7 senior and second-team All-PCL, averaged 11.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals; Madi Sutt, 5-8 sophomore, was a first-team All-PCL selection and averaged 20 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
Rounding out the returning starters is 5-5 junior McKinsey Bryan, who averaged 3.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.1 steals last season. Bryan was also the team’s top 3-point shooter and third-year coach, and McKinsey’s cousin, Jeremiah Bryan looks for her to be at top again this season.
Also returning for the Lady Mules are 5-7 junior Katlin Pickens, 2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and Emily Osborn, a 5-8 sophomore.
Newcomers Wheatland will be bringing in include freshmen Aleah Asare and Isabella Williams.
Coach Bryan expects the 5’8” Asare to make a difference right away, based on her middle school career. Asare averaged 25 points and five steals per game as an eighth-grader.
“We should once again compete for a district title and could make a run for state, if we stay healthy and outwork every team we play,” Coach Bryan said.
