By Chris Parker
Cabool saw a five-game improvement from seven wins two years ago to 12 wins last year. The Lady Bulldogs will look to get back above .500 this year with two returning players that averaged in double figures last year.
Junior Hailey Shannon earned honorable mention all-conference honors last year for leading the Lady Bulldogs in scoring at 14.4 points per game. She also pulled down a team-high 7.8 rebounds per game to go with 4.2 steals per game.
“She (Shannon) just continues to get better. She is a talented well-rounded player,” Cabool head coach Rance Beller said. “I expect her to be one the better players in the area this year.”
Josie Atkins returns for her senior year after scoring 10.3 points per game and corralling 6.9 rebounds per game.
“She started as a freshman, so she has been through the battles and knows what to expect,” Beller said. “She is a matchup problem. She plays inside on defense, but offensively she has the ability to step out and hit the three.”
Seniors Abigail Heurman, Hailie Metheney and Vanessa Kenter all return after seeing significant varsity action as juniors.
“Abigail Heurman will be a senior who is really solid defensively and will continue to improve on offense. Hailie Metheney is a great on ball defender who will look to expand her offensive role. Vanessa Kenter is a great athlete who is still learning the game, bus has improved each season,” Beller said.
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Madelyn and Morganne Aaron are two new players who will see extensive varsity action this year. They transferred in from Illinois.
“This is going to be a year with lots of change. Katlynn Ellison has been our primary ball handler for four years, so we are going to have to figure out who steps into that role,” Beller said. “I really think we will be a much different and better team the more we get into the season. I think we have a chance to surprise some people this year, and we are really looking forward to getting started. This was definitely an odd summer for us, as we got a late start with COVID, and we had our team camp cut short because of COVID, With that being said I know the girls are excited, and I expect us all to really work hard and appreciate the opportunity to play.”
Cabool opens the season on Nov. 20 at Greenville.
