By Justin Sampson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The 37th year in Jacky Payne’s coaching career equaled his first at the helm of the Lebanon girls basketball program. It yielded the Yellowjackets’ second district championship in three seasons and a 16-11 overall record.
With so much time devoted to the game of basketball, Payne knew the hurdles of instilling your mark on a program from the day he agreed to take the job. Now, he feels a stronger bond and understanding with his players.
“The first year is always where you put your stamp on things,” he said. “You spend the year installing the things you like to do and there is a lot of learning. I feel more confident in the kids as far as knowing the routine and the culture.”
Lebanon waved goodbye to five seniors after last winter, but are bolstered by a sizable senior class and a duo of seniors. The latter group starts with First Team All-Ozark Conference selection Jenna Glendenning, who is coming off one of the most prolific shooting seasons in program history. The lone returning starter shot 44 percent average from beyond the arc, enough to tie the school record as she connected on 34 of 78 three-point attempts over 27 games.
Her scoring prowess is impressive enough, but her understanding as an ambassador of the game is what impresses Payne.
“She’s one of the special ones. She scored 19 points per game in a tough conference. She led the team in steals. She’s all over the place and has such a coachable attitude. She’s so well-respected by her teammates and area coaches.”
Katie Mino represents the only other senior on this squad after splitting her time between varsity and junior varsity last season.
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The hefty sophomore class will be comprised of Makayah Alexander, Quincey Glendenning, Jocee Pettyjohn, Chloe Shivers, Destiny Zimdars, and Kally Mack. All spent most of their time on junior varsity last season and used the summer to hone different aspects of their respective games. Pettyjohn, a two-guard, led the junior varsity in scoring as a freshman.
Alexander, meanwhile, contributed the most to varsity as the seventh man last winter. She collected 2.9 points and 1.5 rebounds per game off the bench, but will need to push past her recovery from foot surgery to improve on those numbers.
Payne is also excited about the potential of freshman Reagan McCowan, whom he expects to contribute immediately. Overall, it comes down to playing up to varsity speed.
“With the youth that we have, the game is faster. The players are stronger. You have to think quicker,” said Payne. “This group knows how to play the game, they just have to adjust to the physicality and quickness.”
Payne also believes this could be a more dangerous shooting group. That is high praise given last season’s three-point potency with Glendenning and the graduated Kamryn Mack.
Lebanon showed steady improvement throughout the summer as they won 13 of 14 games. Payne takes those victories with a grain of salt, but buys into what his younger players showed him and how it has stirred excitement around the program.
“You can sense it in the air. Some teams rebuild and some reload. I feel like this team can make that transition from winning districts and making the state playoffs right into this season. They have an understanding of what this can be and what it should be.”
The Yellowjackets open the season on Dec. 12 against Eldon.
