By Chris Parker
Parkview girls basketball finished with nine wins last season. If the Lady Vikings are to get back to double-digit wins they will first have to replace two program stalwarts in Mikaela Whalen and Kamari Ouck. That graduated duo were Parkview’s top tow rebounders and scorers last season.
“Their experience allowed us to take some of the pressure off of the younger players, this year those younger players will have to step up,” Parkview head coach Keri Nichols said.
One of those young players is sophomore Tara Masten. As a freshman, Masten scored 10.5 points per game to go with 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.4 assists per game. She was named to the All-Ozark Conference Defensive team.
“She is extremely quick and uses that to her advantage. She is able to anticipate where passes are going and use her quickness to get to the ball,” Nichols said. “She has worked really hard at expanding her game. Last year she scored primarily off of attacking the rim but has spent a lot of time improving her mid-range jumper.”
Juniors Jestiny Worley and Leah Reichert along with sophomore Aeriana Rhine also return.
Worley averaged 25 minutes per game last year playing in every varsity contest. She scored 4.8 points and grabbed 4.6 rebounds per game.
“Jestiny has the ability to consistently hit the mid-range jumper. If you rotate off of her to stop the dribble drive she can drain the shot,” Nichols said.
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Reichert played 28 minutes per game as a sophomore averaging 7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
“Leah can play any of the five positions on the floor even though she is only 5’6”,” Nichols said. “She was our second-leading rebounder last year and has an uncanny ability to get the rebound.”
Rhine saw more limited varsity action last season, but expect her role on varsity to be much bigger this year.
“Aeriana saw increased playing time as the season went on. She is a lanky defender that is able to get her hands on the ball a lot. She has the ability to play facing the basket or with the back to the basket,” Nichols said.
Sophomores Austin Hall and Olivia Sutterfield will be new players to the varsity lineup. Hall is a quick guard with a consistent outside shot who can also handle the ball well. Sutterfield makes good decisions as a guard with a strong outside shot and solid defense.
Parkview will use its speed and athleticism to play a pressure defense this year.
Parkview will travel to Willard for a jamboree on Nov. 16 with Hillcrest, Miller and Willard. The Lady Vikings open the regular season on Nov. 22 at Greenwood.
“We plan on playing a fast paced game on both ends of the floor,” Nichols said. “We will be young. Our expectations are to improve every game. There will be a learning curve to start the season.”
