By Matt Turer — @MattTurer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
HEAD COACH: Shannon Crain
2016-17 RECORD (Summit): 23-4 (5-1)
2016-17 POSTSEASON: DISTRICT SEMIS: Lost 45-44 to Hartville
GRADUATES: Emily Chadwell (All-Summit 1st Team), Jenna Ogletree (All-Summit 1st Team), Emma McIntosh (All-Summit 1st Team)
RETURNING PLAYERS: Chloe Crain (Sr., G), Emma Nelson (Sr., PG), Marla Chadwell (Jr., G), Josie Sullivan (So., F)
NEWCOMERS: Payton Drake, Reagan Kelly, Karly Carpenter, Dakota Anderson
The Norwood Lady Pirates won 23 games last winter and have won 62 over the past three years combined. But now there’s rebuilding to be done.
Three first-team all-conference selections graduated last year in Emily Chadwell, Jenna Ogletree and Emma McIntosh, and an additional all-conference selection moved out of the school district.
Instead of dwelling on the players lost and last year’s heartbreaking last-second season-ending loss to Hartville, Shannon Crain’s program is looking forward. Not back.
“We lost all our main scoring. Our point guard. Our top rebounders. So our motto this year is “Move On,” Crain said. “Life is full of battles, what-ifs and how-comes, but we are not going to dwell on things we can not change. We are moving on.”
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE COURT
Norwood does bring back familiar names in Chloe Crain (5.3 PPG, 1.5 APG), Emma Nelson (2 PPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 SPG), Marla Chadwell (3.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2 APG) and Josie Sullivan (1.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG).
Crain is the lone returning starter and will be a contributor on both ends of the floor.
Nelson will start at point guard and switch to playing post on defense. The same goes for Chadwell defensively.
Sullivan will play post on offense. “She’ll need to contribute on both ends of the court,” Crain said.
Payton Drake is back after missing all of last season with a knee injury. Crain will look to Reagan Kelly, Karly Carpenter and Dakota Anderson to contribute off the bench.
“Even with four starters gone, we will still be competitive,” Crain said. “I believe we will surprise some of our competitors.”
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
Shannon Crain on if the program’s recent success will rub off on this group: “Most of the players have a winning attitude. Only time will tell.”
