By Chris Parker
Parkview girls basketball returns three players with significant varsity experience in seniors Mikaela Whalen and Kamari Ouck and sophomore Leah Reichert.
If Parkview is to improve on last year’s five-win campaign, the Lady Vikings will need strong leadership from Ouck and Whalen.
“It (their leadership) will be very important because we are going to be relying on some young kids to step up at the varsity level and contribute and their leadership will be essential in helping them with that transition,” Parkview head coach Keri Nichols said.
Ouck was the team’s leading scorer at 15.7 points per game last year. She also pulled down 6.5 rebounds per game and had 1.5 steals per game on her way to honorable mention all-conference honors.
“Kamari’s greatest strength is her shooting,” Nichols said. “She is able to not only hit outside shots but has improved her ability to shoot off the dribble.”
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Whalen was second on the team in scoring at 14 points per game. She led the team in rebounding (8.1 rpg), steals (3.7 spg) and assists (3.3 apg) while also earning honorable mention all-conference honors.
“Mikaela’s use of her natural athleticism to use it to get to the rim are her biggest strengths,” Nichols said. “She has also put a lot of time on her shot and we have seen tremendous improvement.”
Reichert played in 23 of 26 varsity games last year as a freshman. She has improved both her speed and shooting in the off-season.
Senior guard Shalia Njorge returns after not playing last year.
Sophomore guard Jestiny Worley along with freshmen Tara Masten, Ariena Rhine and Olivia Sutterfield are four new players to watch.
Athleticism will be a hallmark for this group.
“We will be quick and overall athletic,” Nichols said. “We have more outside threats than we have had in the last couple of years. I think offensively you can look for us to pick up the pressure.”
Parkview opens the season on Nov. 24 at home against Nixa.
“I think we will have a period of fast growth in the beginning as we transition all these young kids into the varsity level, but will be competitive from the start,” Nichols said.
