The Bolivar Lady Liberators have several holes to fill left by a talented graduated quartet of seniors in Kaylie Rothdiener, Meleah Francka, Aleena Derossett and Macy Hall.
“Our seniors were a special group. Kaylie and Meleeah were an integral part of our Final Four run two years ago, and Aleena Derossett and Macy Hall filled in the gaps for a great season last year,” Bolivar coach Darin Archer said. “They were all very good players, but they were also great leaders. We will miss what each player brought to the team.”
What they brought was 71 percent of the scoring last season. That included 17.1 points per game from Rothdiener and 10.6 points per game from Francka.
Junior Michelle Gabani will be looked to for even more production after averaging 12.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
“She is a student of the game and she understands the game very well. She works extremely hard at her game, and she makes her teammates better,” Archer said. “Michelle has been in a position the last two years where she could defer at times to other players, but now, she needs to understand that she is the engine that makes our team run. This will be a new role for her. Michelle is very unassuming and leads by her play on the court each and every day. The sky is the limit for this young lady.”
Gabani also averaged 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
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The only other returning player for the Lady Liberators that averaged more than a point per game is junior Reaghan Lesh. She averaged 3 points per game as a part time starter during her sophomore season.
“Look for her to have a breakout season,” Archer said. “She is a versatile player that can play inside or out and has the ability to control the boards on both ends of the floor and she has the ability to be a lockdown defender in the interior. Reaghan will play a big role for our program the next two years.”
Three seniors in Megan Spear, Kelsie Barber and Viktoria Kornbrek will all have expanded varsity roles.
Taylor Dial is another junior that Archer sees a lot of potential in.
“(Dial is a) good athlete that is just scratching the surface of how good she can be,” Archer said. “She is another versatile athlete that can play a variety of positions. Good defender and rebounder. She has the ability to score several different ways. She will play an important role on this year’s team.”
Junior Megan Campbell along with sophomores Rheagan Hancock and Hannah Newcomb will also look to factor in to the varsity rotation.
This year Bolivar moves back into a district comprised of Southwest Missouri schools after a cycle with schools from the Northeast. The new cycle has Bolivar in Class 4 – District 9 with Hillcrest, Marshfield, Reeds Spring, Rogersville and West Plains.
“Our new district assignment will be very challenging,” Archer said. “Look at the success the teams in this district has had over the past three years: three district champions, three Final Fours, and five of the six teams have been state ranked. This is one of the tougher districts in Class 4.”
Expect the young Lady Liberators to grow throughout the season with an eye on peaking for that tough district tournament.
“We are going to be relatively young and inexperienced. We will be a work in progress throughout the season, but I think as this group gains more experience, we will become a better team,” Archer said. “Obviously Michelle Gabani is a special talent, but we will be more than a one horse show. We have strong leadership from our seniors, and a talented, athletic group of underclassmen. It is going to be fun watching this team develop and grow as the season progresses.”
Bolivar will open the season on Dec. 8 at home against El Dorado Springs.
