By Nolan Epstein (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Year in and year out, the Lady Bulldogs are tested against some of the toughest teams in the Ozarks. The same can be said this time around as a formidable schedule awaits Blue Eye in the SWCL.
Blue Eye, led by head coach Ken Elfrink, sported a 12-13 record with a young roster last season after a 17-win season in 2014-15. This year, with a little more experience and improved knowledge of how to close out tight games, Elfrink hopes his team has what it takes to win against some stout competition.
“It was a learning year for our kids to get adjusted to varsity basketball,” said Elfrink in reference to last season. “We had several games in which we were in and were not able to finish. I think with a year’s experience under our belt, we will progress forward and be more apt to finish those games.”
The Lady Bulldogs will have to face the likes of Spokane, Clever, Forsyth and 4-time defending state champion Crane – all of which put together solid seasons last year.
To make matters even more challenging, Blue Eye joins Crane in Class 2, District 11, as well as Miller – a district champion from a year ago.
Although the road will be far from easy for Elfrink’s bunch, he believes he has the right personnel in place to make waves in the conference.
“This group is a very motivated, hard working group with a high basketball I.Q.,” Elfrink said. “They are very competitive and have great chemistry. We hope to be able to employ multiple looks both offensively and defensively.”
The lone senior returnee for Blue Eye is Jaden Box – a guard who averaged just 3 PPG last season, but will use her valuable leadership skills to guide the team’s underclassmen.
“Box is a hard-nosed competitor that will provide us with key leadership,” Elfrink said. “She understands her role and the importance of it to this team.”
The majority of the Lady Bulldogs’ offensive output will likely come from sophomore Kenedi Larson, who burst onto the scene last year by putting up 11.5 PPG and 4.3 RPG as a freshman starter.
Elfrink is impressed by the youngster’s talent and ability to make smart decisions with three more full years ahead for her.
“We expect her to progress and continue to improve,” said Elfrink of Larson. “She’s very athletic, can score off the dribble and has the ability to stretch the floor with her outside shooting. We’re excited to see how her sophomore campaign unfolds.”
Junior Katelynn Hansen, along with sophomores Kenzie Hobbs (another freshman starter last season), Ayshia Bettlach and Hope Smith, will also log some key minutes on the court in crucial situations.
Time will tell what’s in store for Blue Eye in 2016-17, but ever since suffering a 45-39 defeat to Marionville in the first round of last year’s district tourney, the Lady Bulldogs have been hungry to rise up and take the next step.
“Our expectations are going to be high and we will have to commit to competitive, hard practices every day to push ourselves to our capabilities,” added Elfrink.
Blue Eye travels to Bradleyville to open up the season on Nov. 22.
