By Chris Parker
Dixon girls basketball had just six players last year, but still found some success with an 11-14 overall record.
Four of those six players last year were seniors.
This year, the Lady Bulldogs will have eight players with two of them returning starters.
Leading the way is senior Brooke Sinclair. Sinclair is one of the area’s top scorers averaging 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists per game last year. She has scored 1,492 career points.
“Brooke is just about as good a player as they make. She will be a front runner for conference MVP,” Dixon head coach James Thompson said.
Fellow senior Ryli Martin is the team’s other returning starter. She averaged 4 points and 6 rebounds per game last year.
“Ryli does a lot of little things you don’t see on paper. She is always at the right place at the right time,” Thompson said. “Ryli can pretty much do it all offensively and defensively. She is a really good shooter and does not take very many bad shots.”
Tristen Lipscomb returns for her junior year after playing as a freshman but sitting out last year.
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“Tristen is a very quick guard who can defend. Tristen has worked really hard on her shot and has gotten a lot better,” Thompson said.
Senior Madison Lasher is coming out to play basketball for the first time.
Four freshmen in Resa Martin, Jenna Matlock, Alexa Hall and Kalie Marr will look to make an immediate impact. Martin averaged 23 ppg in junior high. Marr will be a key post player
“Resa averaged 23 points last year and took care of the ball. She will have a major impact on our success as a team. Resa is a hard worker and has played travel ball for many years with a very good St. James group,” Thompson said. Kalie Marr is a strong presence inside and is a great defender.”
Dixon opens the season on Nov. 24 at home against Steelville.
“As a team, we only have five years of varsity experience. Brooke Sinclair has four of those, so everyone is going to have to grow up fast,” Thompson said.
