By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Ava shot out of the gate with a 5-0 start last season, but the Lady Bears then fizzled to a 7-18 finish with only two starters back from the previous season. Now in his second year as head coach, Nathan Houk says his team has made improvements on both sides of the ball in the offseason, and the team is quick, loaded with upperclassmen, and ready to face the competition.
The Lady Bears will first have to replace their leading scorer, all-conference honorable mention point guard Emily Guengerich. Guengerich also led the team in assists and steals and was a key defender in her senior season.
One benefit for the team, according to Coach Houk: “We are finally putting more upper classmen than lower classmen on the floor and have more depth and experience coming off the bench.”
Team veterans Ashton Bewley and Kiaunna Snow return in their third year as starters. Bewley is a shooting guard and ball handler.
“She’s a good all-around player that makes things happen defensively,” said Houk.
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The junior averaged five points per game last season and will be tasked with increasing offensive production, particularly with her outside shot and finish at the basket. Snow is also a junior and will provide stability at the guard spot. She sees the floor well and is strong in fundamentals and on defense.
Junior Lauren Mendel started last season for the first time and has worked to improve her strength and shooting range. Standing at 5’11”, she is a strong post player who tossed in 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds per game.
“She defends the paint well and has a nice touch around the basket and at the elbow,” said Houk.
Senior Kaylee Evans is another returning starter and a team leader who averaged 3.5 ppg last season.
“Kaylee is the kind of player coaches want on their team,” said Houk. “She gives us depth at the guard spot and has the ability to guard players with more size. She also has a nice outside shot and shoots a high percentage from the free throw line.”
Kaylee’s sister Araina Evans is a 5’9” junior power forward and returning letterman. The versatile player defends the post, guards well on the perimeter, shoots well from the arc, and can finish at the rim.
Emily Stillings is another returning letterman, as is Claire Fossett. Stillings is a quick guard with strong defensive skills and knows how to get the ball inside to post players. Fossett led the JV in scoring as a freshman and came off the bench for varsity last season. She runs the floor well, can post up hard and plays well outside, also possessing the ability to score and rebound. Eden Little also lettered as a freshman and improved her skill set in the offseason. She could be a difference-maker with her speed and ability to defend the ball.
Two sophomores will be new faces to the varsity crowd: Megan Lakey and Emaly Keyes. Megan is a consistent outside shooter and defender and will provide depth at the guard spot. Emaly will also strengthen the guard spot. She shoots the ball well from the arc and sees the floor well.
Houk said he is coaching a quick team that should be solid defensively, and he expects the defense to generate some of the offense. Their up-tempo style should be fun to watch.
The Ava Lady Bears host Hollister for their home opener November 21.
