Central girls basketball returns a strong core from last year’s 10-win team
By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After losing five seniors from their district championship team in 2021, a young Central Lady Bulldogs squad rallied to record double-digit wins in 2022.
“We were young and had some inexperience,” said Central head coach Caitlin Lamberth, who enters her ninth season. “However, there were many things accomplished throughout the season – we had players step up and lead throughout the season and they grew as individuals and as athletes. A moment that stood out to our team was winning our first round of the Pink and White tournament.”
The Lady Bulldogs finished 10-16 overall and 4-6 in the Ozark Conference before falling to Kickapoo in the first round of the Class 6 District 5 tournament last season.
On the plus side, Central didn’t lose any seniors from last season but did lose Heaven Shockley, a senior who moved out of the Springfield Public Schools district. Shockley was an all-conference first-team selection and had recorded more than 400 points and rebounds, and more than 100 blocks during her freshman and sophomore seasons at Central.
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But the Lady Bulldogs have plenty of firepower returning this season.
• Makydria Harper, senior guard/forward; named to the All-OC Defensive Team. “Makydria has developed tremendously over the offseason to better her offensive and defensive skills,” Lamberth said. “She has always been defensive-minded player, but over the past few months has really been looking to score, which is going to be really beneficial for our upcoming season.”
• Aaliyah Pittman, senior forward/center – Recorded her 599th career point and 102nd block last season. “Aaliyah has always been a very-hard-to-guard center for our team, but she has worked towards bettering her shot and stepping away from the basket. She is ready to have a great senior season.”
• Desteny Pierce, junior guard. “Dez comes in as a veteran varsity player and will be counted on to run our offense as well as play off the ball. She has great ballhandling abilities along with a great first step. She has worked hard over the offseason to become a leader and we will look for her to continue her success from last season into this year.”
• Taliah Dyson, sophomore guard. “Tee came in last year as a freshman and made a great impact on our team. She is quick and has a very smooth shot. Her ability to hit the 3 as well as handle the basketball makes her a threat. She is also very hard-working on the defensive end. We are going to count on her to bring the same energy and continue to score the basketball for us.”
• Laramie Hill, junior guard. “Laramie is a player that every coach loves to have on their team as she is extremely hard-working and a great teammate. She has been working on her offensive game and developed a great shot from outside the arc. Her defensive energy is going to lead us and with her work ethic on the offensive end, she is going to benefit our team tremendously.”
Lamberth also is excited about freshman Annalise Freeman and her contributions this season.
“Annalise Freeman is a freshman who has some raw talent that will help us out this season,” Lamberth said. “She is very coachable and hard-working. We can’t wait to see her on the court.”
Central will open the regular season on the road at Branson on Nov. 21 and will then face Greenwood in the Norm Stewart Classic on Dec. 10.
“We will continue to grow as a team,” Lamberth said. “We have a couple of seniors who look to lead this season and want the best for the team. Each day we will work to get better and work more as a cohesive unit. We cannot rely on one player to get the job done. It will take each individual player playing their part and their role in order to be successful.
“Our team has worked hard over the offseason and we have had a great turnout each day in our offseason workouts. The girls have put in the hours in the gym and are focused on what needs to get done in order to be successful this season.”
