By Chris Parker
College Heights girls basketball was one of the top teams in the area last year. The Lady Cougars went 26-3 overall and won a district title. Their season ended in the sectional round with a 46-40 loss to Blue Eye.
This year, College Heights has to replace Ozark 7 Player of the Year Emily Colin, but the Lady Cougars still have their eyes set on a final four appearance with a strong group of seniors returning.
Grace Bishop (guard/post), Kaynahn Burk (guard), Catie Secker (post) and Lainey Lett (post) form a strong core of leadership.
“They have been committed to the team. They are incredibly hard workers. They are coachable players that lead by example. They are good encouragers and demonstrate many of the characteristics a coach wants in the team leadership,” College Heights head coach John Blankenship said.
Bishop earned first-team all-conference honors while Burk (second-team) and Secker (honorable mention) were also all-conference selections.
Sophomore’s Lauren Ukena and Addie Lawrence appear ready for expanded roles this year.
“I’ve been very pleased with Lauren Ukena’s and Addie Lawrence’s improvement from last year. They are playing with more aggression and confidence. Playing in the summer league and attending camps made a difference,” Blankenship said.
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Klohe Burk, Jayli Johnson and Ava Masena will also be key players for College Heights.
“Klohe Burk and Jayli Johnson will be a vital part of our success. They will bring a lot of quickness and help us on both ends of the court,” Blankenship said. “Ava Masena continues to improve, and I expect her to strengthen our team this year as well.”
Freshmen Maddy Colin, Avery Schumaker and Sophia Moore will all look to make an immediate varsity impact for a team that wants to make pressure defense its signature.
“Our team identity will be our pressure defense and transition game,” Blankenship said. “Defense will be the foundation that will allow us to use our speed to get into our transition game.”
College Heights opens the season on Nov. 24 at Jasper.
“I have high expectations for this team,” Blankenship said. “They are talented, athletic, and hard working. If we can stay healthy, I think we will have a very successful season.”
