By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After 27 years and nearly 500 wins, there’s not much that Scott Womack hasn’t done as a head coach.
But, entering his 28th season as a head coach, Womack and West Plains could be on track for a historic season.
The Lady Zizzers return four starters and nine letterwinners from last season’s 17-11 edition that finished as the Class 4 – District 9 runner-up. Womack believes that the 40-35 loss to Rogersville – West Plains third district championship defeat in the last five seasons – will help light a fire.
“We felt like we let one get away last year leading most of the game until the last few minutes,” said Womack. “Hopefully we learned from some of our mistakes and can continue building out what we accomplished last year with such a young team.”
West Plains must replace leading scorer and All-Ozark Conference selection Kendra Davidson, the Lady Zizzers do return fellow all-conference picks Hailey Meeks, Morgan Mahan and McKenzie Brunson, as well as All-OC Defensive Team member Cass Cunningham.
Meeks, a 5-foot-8 senior, is one of the most versatile players in the OC. After showing flashes of brilliance as a junior, Womack is hopeful she can be one of the top players in the area this season, 11.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 2.7 SPG.
“She needs to become more consistent for us this year,” said Womack. “She had big games for us last year throughout the season but also had some nights where her shot didn’t fall. Our team feed off of her intensity last year and we need her to bring that every night.”
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Brunson, a sophomore point guard, averaged 8.1 PPG and 3.2 APG, also shooting 43 percent from 3-point distance. Mahan, a senior post player, averaged 7.9 PPG and 4.5 RPG.
“Morgan is a solid player on both ends plays the post position and led us in rebounding last year,” said Womack. “MacKenzie started for us as a freshmen and developed into a very good player for us by the end of the year. She can score from anywhere on the floor and can handle the ball for us.”
Cunningham is back after earning the conference’s appreciation for her defensive prowess. She also finished second on the team in 3-point FG. Womack is looking forward to seeing her become even more of a two-way player this winter.
“Cass is a great rebounder and brings us some toughness,” said Womack. But we also need her to be more of a scorer this year.”
Womack is expecting other returns to have an increased impact. Seniors Liesel Garrett and Sydni Miller, juniors Bre Harlan and Allie Holesapple and freshman Ashton Judd will provide depth and give opponents different looks when on the floor.
“I think they can all help us as the year gets going,” said Womack. “Liesel gives us a shooter that can knock down the 3. Sydni started four games for us last year until she tore her ACL. Very good outside shooter. Bre is a very good ball handler who has improved her outside shot this summer. Alli is an athletic player who will help us in the post and Ashton gives us another ball handler who can knock down the 3.”
One thing Womack has learned to do with his schedule is be extremely creative, mainly due to West Plains geographic location. The Lady Zizzers will be tested early with the Carthage Tournament, which takes the place of their usual trip to the Fair Grove Tournament, as well as the annual Pink & White.
This year there will also be a unique trip, with West Plains going to Florida just prior to Christmas for some fun in the sun and a little basketball.
But, as always, they’ll share a conference with perennial power Kickapoo. Camdenton and Waynesville are also coming off of 20-win seasons. Parkview returns a ton of firepower and Springfield Central joins the OC, bringing one of the best guard tandems in the Ozarks.
As one of the smallest teams in the league, the Lady Zizzers will again be challenged nightly in conference play, which is the perfect preparation for a March run.
“The Ozark Conference is a tough game most nights,” said Womack. “We try to upgrade our non-conference schedule to help us when districts comes around. But yes, scheduling is a struggle because many teams do not want to travel to West Plains even though it’s not that bad of a trip.
“I think Kickapoo is still the team to beat with Camdenton right behind them. I hope we can mix it up in the top 4 teams and if things fall right have a chance at the end of the season.”
West Plains will open the 2018-19 season on Nov. 19 at Willow Springs.
