By Calen VanNess
As coach Steve Sanders’s assistant a year ago, new Ava head coach Nathan Houk will look to take a young and talented Lady Bears team and turn them into a threat for their opponents.
The Lady Bears lost three important pieces to graduation from a 10-win team from a year ago. Jacey Swofford earned All-Conference First Team in the SCA last season and led the team in scoring the past two years. Hope Evans earned SCA Honorable Mention and solidified the post position with her defense and rebounding ability, and Bailey Loge was the team’s leader on and off the court, and a key defender.
The Lady Bears are left with only two starters from a year ago in sophomore guards Ashton Bewley and Kiaunna Snow. Both players will provide experience from the guard position.
“Ashton is a tough defender with a good outside shot,” said Houk of his two sophomore guards. “[She] can knock down the three-point shot but also does a nice job of getting to the basket. Kiaunna sees the floor well, is a tough defender and gets to the basket when needed.”
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Also returning for the Lady Bears are juniors Kaylee Evans, Sierra Boatman and Hailey Peterson, along with sophomores Lauren Mendel and Araina Evans.
Kaylee Evans will provide range from the outside and will be asked to do more offensively and defensively. Boatman is coming back from a knee injury but is expected to provide more depth as a ball handler and offensive threat. Pederson has a consistent mid-range game and runs the floor well. Mendel will be looked upon to protect the paint on defense and overpower her opponents on offense. Araina Evans is a solid defender and three-point shooter who can also handle the ball and defend.
Houk can also look forward to senior Emily Guengerich coming back from an injury that caused her to miss all of last season.
“Emily was unable to play last year due to an ACL injury,” said Houk. “She will return this season and play the point guard position. She will provide the team with added defense, scoring and ball handling. Emily has a nice outside shot and can get to the basket off the dribble, and we are excited to have her back. She will provide us with depth at the guard spot and provide the team with good leadership on and off the court.”
Being so guard-heavy this season, Houk anticipates a completely different style of play from last year.
“This year’s team will be able to guard better and create offense with our defense,” he said. “Last year we walked the ball up the floor and played a lot of zone due to personnel. With our speed and quickness [this year], we will be able to push the ball more and get after teams defensively.”
Houk is excited for the opportunity his team will have this season.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to coach these girls,” said Houk. “Even though we lost our leading scorer, leading rebounder, and best defender from last season, I believe we have a good group returning that will be fun to coach. They are eager to learn, work hard, and want to win. Their work ethic, quickness, and hustle will make us a very competitive team. I believe we will be a team no one looks forward to playing as the season progresses.”
Houk knows the SCA if full of tough teams, but he hopes his team is in the hunt for a conference championship.
“We hope to be right in the mix of the conference race with Salem probably being the team to beat,” he said. “They have been really strong the last two years and have several starters returning. Our main goal will be to work hard and improve as the season progresses. We want to peak at the right time and be playing our best basketball when the district tournament rolls around.”
The Ava Lady Bears begin their season at Hollister on Nov. 22.
