By Chris Parker
Joey Little takes over as head coach of a Hurley girls basketball team that went 15-11 last season. This may be Little’s first season as head coach of the girls program, but not his first coaching basketball at Hurley. He previously served as the boys head coach during the 2005-06 and 2009-10 seasons.
Four players in Anna Lowery (senior), Mylee Chamberlain (sophomore), Maraya Schimmels (sophomore) and Kourtney Faucett (sophomore) return for the Lady Tigers.
Lowery averaged 5.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game last year.
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“She really improved her junior year and I look for her to step up and be a leader. I expect her to have a very good year,” Little said.
Schimmels averaged 8.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game last year.
“She is quick and athletic. She has the ability to score outside. She has played a lot of basketball and I expect her to have a great year. She must improve on her shooting percentage,” Little said.
Newcomers to watch include: Racheal Hood (sophomore), Lauren Presley (sophomore), Ashlee Robertson (freshman), Avery Whitlinger (freshman) and Rayann Butler (freshman).
“We will be a very young team. We will have one senior, five sophomores, and three freshman. We lost over 62% of the scoring and 65% of the rebounds from last year. The three seniors from last year will be greatly missed,” Little said. “I expect us to work hard every day and by the end of the season maybe compete in districts. We will be working on fundamentals, defense, and shooting the ball every day in practice. We have to work hard, smart, and learn the game of basketball. Our shooting percentage will have to improve for us to be competitive this year. All the girls are willing to learn and work hard.”
Hurley opens the season on Nov. 25 at home against Sarcoxie.
