By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The return of Brad Shorter to Carl Junction has been nothing short of storybook-like.
Three seasons, three conference championships, and three consecutive 20-win seasons, culminating in last year’s Final Four run; making a little history in the process.
“Last year was very special for our program, community, and school district being the first basketball program (boys or girls) to get to the final four,” said Shorter.
Carl Junction returns three starters from last year’s team and, while they must replace three standout seniors, the Lady Bulldogs have the pieces to make yet another run.
Senior Pitt State commit Megan Scott returns after earning All-COC Large honors last year. The 6-foot-2 post averaged 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and a pair of blocks as a junior and is widely considered the best true post in the Ozarks.
“I feel like Megan is one of the best post players in the state,” said Shorter. “What makes her so good is her speed, quickness, and ball handling at the post position. This along with her size creates double teams and sometimes triple teams.
“This frees up many of her teammates. Megan may not average an overwhelming amount of points but this is due to those double and triple teams along with her unselfishness.”
Joining Scott in the frontcourt is younger sister Katie. The 6-foot-2 forward averaged 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds as a freshman.
She’s more perimeter oriented than her sister and Shorter is expecting her to shoulder a much larger scoring role as a sophomore.
“Even though Katie has improved her game this summer, I feel we will see much more production from her with a position change,” said Shorter. “Katie is going to play a guard role this year which is where she is probably most comfortable. Katie could play any position on the floor and play it very well. She is a great team player.”
Also returning is sophomore guard Dani Wrensch. As a freshman she ran the show as the starting point guard, helping facilitate offense. Shorter is expecting her to look for her own offense this season, as well as facilitating for others.
Senior Kate Dreiling is back a year after lettering. The 5-foot-8 senior is described as the team’s hardest worker and the ultimate glue player.
A pair of 5-foot-10 forwards add athleticism to Carl Junction’s roster in junior Kenzee Shanks and sophomore Shila Winder.
Sophomores Taylor Hughes, Taylor Storm, Courtney Mertens and Brett Chappel will round out the rotation.
Carl Junction finds itself in a unique position entering this season.
Each of the last three postseasons have seen the Lady Bulldogs advance further than the previous year. District runner-up in 2015, Elite Eight in 2016 and Final Four in 2017.
Should that trend continue, CJ would be in line to do something that has never been done by any team in school history; win a state championship.
While this senior class will likely leave Carl Junction as the most decorated in program history, Dreiling and Scott would like to go out with one final bang.
“We’ve put in a lot of work over the past four years; getting to the Final Four again would be amazing,” said Dreiling. “This group of girls is so close – we are like family. Winning it all with them would be so great.”
Carl Junction will open the 2017-18 season at home against Rogers Heritage on Nov. 21.
