By Dana Harding
When the Miller girls tip off the 2016-17 season, a familiar face will be roaming the sidelines.
Former Lady Cardinal standout Hannah Wilkerson enters her first season as Miller head coach, following a one-year run as an assistant to former coach Justin Gerald.
Missouri’s career scoring leader, Wilkerson was promoted as a result of Gerald’s departure to Hillcrest.
“Our small town gives endless support to our team and probably has some of the loudest fans in the area,” Wilkerson said. “So, I am glad to be back home.”
Even before Wilkerson’s announcement, expectations were high for the Lady Cardinals.
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An 18-12 campaign last season ended with Miller hoisting the Class 2, District 12 championship, the school’s first since 2010, Wilkerson’s final season.
To build on that success, Wilkerson’s first order of business will be to replace Miller’s leading scorer and rebounder in Jessica Estes.
Estes, now playing at College of the Ozarks, averaged 13.7 points and 9.3 rebounds for the Lady Cardinals. The 6’1” post player gave Miller a big presence inside with her aggressive play and height, according to Wilkerson.
Four starters return this season, led by a pair of senior guards in Abby Gann and Dalyn Hadlock.
The 5’9” Gann averaged 13.6 points for the Lady Cardinals and is the team’s vocal leader both on and off the court.
“[Abby] can score anywhere on the floor, and her basketball IQ is one of the best on the team,” Wilkerson said. “That’s something you can’t teach. She has a passion for the game and her teammates, and the team respects her voice.”
Hadlock nearly averaged 3 steals per game last season and is what Wilkerson calls an “annoying” defender. The pesky 5’4” guard utilizes quickness and savvy defense, but Hadlock also rebounds and scores for the team.
A pair of juniors round out Miller’s returning starters. Shayne Mallory and Lynna Hadlock each provide the Lady Cardinals with additional scoring, defense and all-around toughness on the court.
Three of Miller’s role players — Bethany Gulick, Riley Pennington and Andie Neuenschwander — will each be expected to play increased roles for the Lady Cardinals this season.
Miller will also look to its freshman class for added depth and valuable varsity minutes as the season progresses. Jazmine McElroy, Sydnee Clark, Taylor Belcher and Jessica Epps will all compete for varsity playing time this year.
Wilkerson’s coaching philosophy is simple … take what has been learned as a player from a host of great coaches and mentors over the years, and then pass it along to her own players.
“I was not the most athletic, tallest or fastest player on the court, and I knew that, so I always tried to make my basketball IQ my biggest strength,” Wilkerson said. “I try to pass that along to my players — how to outsmart the other team. I think it helps them see the game from a different angle.”
For the Lady Cardinals to be successful this season and capture another district crown, speed will be a priority.
“We do not have a lot of height, but our speed will be our biggest strength,” Wilkerson said. “Our speed will help us get easy buckets. We return four starters that have great chemistry and have a competitive edge.”
Miller hosts Hillcrest, New Covenant Academy and Verona Nov. 14 for jamboree play. The regular season tips Nov. 21 against Billings.
