By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
On paper, the 2021-2022 version of the Walnut Grove Lady Tigers would not have been projected to be a playoff team, let alone a Class 1 final four team.
But someone forgot to tell that to the Lady Tigers.
After losing eight seniors from the year before, Walnut Grove’s starting lineup in 2021-2022 included three freshmen and two juniors who did the unexpected and made a run to a fourth-place finish in the Class 1 state tournament.
“We started the year just as expected, which was not very good, lol,” said head coach Rory Henry, who enters his 14th season at Walnut Grove with a record of 343-66 and a career mark of 399-115. “However, our girls bought in and believed in their abilities. We got better and better each game, and we created an identity as a tough defensive team that could control the tempo of the game and keep the score low. Late in the season, we really started playing well together and we made a run back to the final four.
“Although we finished fourth, it was a great success to just get back to that point after many would have thought we would have a rebuilding year.”
In the semifinals, Walnut Grove held Delta to 43 points, which was its second-lowest point total of the year. Delta went into the tournament averaging almost 85 points per game and scored more than 100 in nine games last season.
“I was very proud of what our young girls accomplished, and it may have been one of the proudest moments I’ve had as a coach to see them overcome so much and grow as a team and individuals,” said Henry, who has led the Lady Tigers to five of their six state championships, as well as two second-place finishes, two thirds and last season’s fourth-place finish.
Walnut Grove wrapped up its season with a 23-9 overall record and a 7-1 mark in the Polk County League. With a loss to Macks Creek, the Lady Tigers would finish second in the PCL, snapping their streak of 11-straight conference titles.
With no seniors on last year’s roster, plus the final four run, the Lady Tigers will not take anyone by surprise this season.
“We played a lot of freshmen last year that had to learn right away,” Henry said. “They are a year stronger and understand where our strengths are now. They know more of what our team identity is this year.
“The girls have worked really hard in the offseason to improve and now have more confidence. We know what our team is made of now and we have a strong team identity. We are going to be a big team that can exploit teams inside with our post play. Most of all though, we have to be a strong defensive-minded team who will be physical and dominate rebounding.
“We will have four girls that are 5-10 or better and our guards have good size as well. We hope to improve our outside shooting though so we can stretch defenses out.”
And it all starts with the returning players:
• Ellie Smith, 5-foot-6, sophomore. Averaged 13.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.3 steals per game; earned Class 1 All-State, Class 1 All-District 7, PCL first-team and Most Valuable Player honors. – “Ellie had a great freshman year and helped lead us to a final four,” Henry said. “She did a little bit of everything for us but really handles the ball well and plays great defense. She has the ability to get to the rim and has improved her outside shot. I think she can be an elite player in our area.”
• Jacie Gavisk, 6-0 sophomore. Averaged 10.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 0.6 apg, 1.1 spg; named all-district and first-team PCL. – “Jacie got better every game as a freshman and came into her own late in the year. Had a double-double in each final four game. Has great size and ability in the post. A very difficult matchup because she has great hands and quickness. She got better at her outside shot this summer. Can become an elite big girl and has ability to play at the next level.”
• Jaedyn Johnson, 5-8 senior. Averaged 5.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.0 spg; earned all-district and PCL second-team honors. – “Our most experienced player and senior leader. Very unselfish and plays great defense. She steps up and scores when she needs to, but really plays her role well.”
• Rachael Kruger, 5-10 sophomore. Averaged 4.94 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.9 apg, 1.0 spg. – “Started as a freshman, got better every game and has really worked hard this offseason to improve her game. I look for her to have a big year. She has worked hard on her quickness and the ability to step out and shoot the ball.”
• Payton Johnson, 5-5 senior. Averaged 4.91 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1 apg, 0.8 spg. – “Was our leading 3-point shooter last year with 46 made 3s. Really shoots the ball well and stretches defenses out.”
• Kylie Craig, 5-11 senior. Averaged 6.32 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.9 spg. – “Last year was the first year Kylie really played much and she improved drastically. She runs the floor incredibly well and has learned to play with both hands. She has a knack for rebounding and has shown that she is comfortable scoring inside. She could have a big year.”
• Raygan Dougherty – “Great defender; knows her role well. She came in in big spots last year and played great defense; has worked on her offense this summer as well.”
• Kelli Albert – “Kelli played a lot as a freshman and played some big minutes. She needs to gain confidence but has the ability to shoot the ball well from the outside. Will compete for a starting spot this year after a good offseason.”
The Lady Tigers have four freshmen who could contribute as well this season.
• Kenna Tutor, 5-10 freshman. “Will have the opportunity to play right away as a freshman. Has all the tools to be a very special player and could be an X-factor for us. She has size and quickness, just needs to get stronger and work on her outside shot.”
• Ahriana Vinson, 5-7 freshman. “Athletic and tough; will play hard and rebound well. “She has improved a lot and could see the floor some this year.”
• Kaylea Dougherty, 5-4 freshman. “Quick guard, tough kid. Has a chance to play some if she continues to improve.”
• Ari Batson, 5-6 freshman. “Only played a couple of years but keeps getting better; will play mostly JV.”
“We are still a fairly young team and we need to have leaders step up,” Henry said. “Last year, we were played the underdog card, but this year we will have more pressure on us to win. Young kids will have to step up and be mentally tough when they get challenged.”
The Lady Tigers will participate in a jamboree at Bolivar with Ozark on Nov. 17 before opening the regular season in the Morrisville Tournament on Nov. 28-Dec. 3.
“We have established a strong winning culture here and our players come in with a mindset that they will be successful,” Henry said. “With that being said, I’m really looking forward to this season. We may not be underdogs like we were last year, but this team still has a lot to prove.
“We always have high expectations for ourselves and after finishing the way we did last year, we have our eyes set on competing for a state championship this year.”
