By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Ozark enjoyed a banner year in 2019-2020.
The 22-7 Lady Tigers finished second in the Central Ozarks Conference and captured the program’s first district title since 2012 before falling in the sectional round to Rock Bridge.
The Class 5 postseason was later cancelled prior to the semifinal round due to Covid-19 concerns.
Entering his seventh season at the helm, Ozark head coach David Brewer will once again look to replace a talented class of seniors lost to graduation.
Key graduates include all-conference and all-district selections Madi Braden, Olivia Hanks and Katie Mayes.
The trio will continue their respective basketball careers in college. Braden and Mayes will play for College of the Ozarks this winter, while Hanks will attend Evangel.
“We will need to find consistent perimeter shooting and fill the spots of the three fine seniors we lost,” Brewer said.
Fortunately for Ozark, the cupboard is far from barren.
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The Lady Tigers will be led by Drury commit Anna Hitt.
The 5-foot-9 senior guard earned all-district and second team all-conference honors last season.
“Tremendous athlete,” Brewer said of Hitt. “Can defend 1-5, improved perimeter shooting and dynamic in the open court.”
Ozark also returns a trio of juniors to its lineup in 5-foot-10 Moriah Putt, 5-foot-8 Lyla Watson and 5-foot-6 Riley Boggs.
“We have good players,” Brewer said. “But we will have to define our team with roles, defensive expectations and team chemistry. We hope to compete for COC and district titles.”
With open spots in the roster, Ozark will also look to a host of newcomers and junior varsity players to compete for minutes and make an impact at the varsity level.
Those players include KeAnna Rivera (5-foot-11 post), Zeffie Kent (5-foot-9 guard), Adri Wakeman (5-foot-8 guard), Alexis Soloman (5-foot-8 forward), Molly Rushing (5-foot-6 guard) and Chloe Eisenmann (5-foot-6 guard).
“We will have competition for spots among all these girls,” Brewer said. “The ones that make the quickest transition to varsity will see playing time.”
While the Lady Tigers will have a few question marks, Brewer feels the team’s overall athleticism will be a major strength heading into the season.
“We have good athleticism,” Brewer said. “We will need to find consistent perimeter shooting and challenge ourselves defensively to achieve. As with all years … just finding ourselves as a team, then pushing daily to improve. We have a difficult schedule and have to be ready each night.”
In addition to a challenging slate of COC opponents, the Lady Tigers’ schedule includes a host of the state’s top teams including Jefferson City, Miller Career Academy, Blue Springs and Helias Catholic.
Ozark opens its season Dec. 4 at home against Blue Springs.
