By Chris Parker
Speed and athleticism will be strengths for a Parkview girls basketball team coming off back-to-back nine win seasons.
The Lady Vikings return an experienced group this year with the entire varsity lineup returning.
Two seniors in Leah Reichert and Jestiny Worley will be leaders of that group.
“They (Reichert and Worley) both have a lot of varsity experience and really understand what our values are and what we are trying to do on the basketball court,” Parkview head coach Keri Nichols said. “Leah can play any position on the floor while Jestiny has a great touch from 7 feet out.”
Reichert averaged 6.5 points and 6 rebounds per game as a junior. Worley was just behind her at 6.3 ppg to go with 7 rpg.
Junior Tara Masten returns as one of the state’s top players. Masten earned Class 5 all-state honors as a sophomore on the strength of her 18.7 points and 4.7 steals per game. She also handed out 3.2 assists while pulling down 3.8 rebounds per game. The junior was also named First-Team All-Ozark Conference and All-Ozark Conference Defensive Team.
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Brookelynn Masten was the team’s second-leading scorer as a freshman averaging 10 points per game to go with 4.9 rebounds per game.
A trio of juniors in Arieana Rhine, Olivia Sutterfield and Austin Hall round out the Parkview roster. Rhine led the team in rebounding with 8.8 per game while scoring 3.7 ppg. Sutterfield scored 3 points per game and had 3 rebounds per game. Hall was Parkview’s third-leading scorer at 6.6 points per game.
The Lady Vikings will look for improved shooting to help the team offensively this year.
“We have spent a lot of time in the off-season working on becoming much more consistent shooters,” Nichols said.
Parkview opens the regular season on Nov. 19 against Joplin at Kickapoo.
