By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Skyline basketball has been nothing if not consistent over the past fifteen years, with 11 district titles and nine trips to the Final Four.
2022 proved to be a gap year for the 20-7 Tigers, who fell to Strafford in the Class 3 District 11 championship.
Five graduated seniors departed the program in the offseason in Justine Barb, Miranda Quennoz, Alyee Gunter, Maryn Curnett and Breanna James.
Barb and Quennoz were both all-state honorees last season.
“This group of seniors won a lot of games,” head coach Keven Cheek said. “They will be remembered for their work ethic and competitive nature.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF THE WINTER PREVIEWS
Grace Edge and Emily Edwards return to lead the Tigers this season.
Edge, a 5-foot-8 senior, averaged 8.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals as a junior.
“Grace is a strong player that rebounds well,” Cheek said. “She is a great passer and can score inside and from the 3-point line. We will lean on her on the offensive and defensive ends.”
Edwards, a 5-foot-6 senior, averaged 5.9 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals in a season spent battling with injuries.
“Emily is a guard-type player that shoots the basketball very well,” Cheek said. “Spent part of last year recovering from knee surgery … looks to be back to 100%.”
5-foot-6 classmate Shayla Lynn provides leadership and depth at the guard position.
Juniors Riley James and Ashton Cooley round out Skyline’s returning upperclassmen.
The Tigers will also benefit from a host of returning sophomores with valuable varsity experience, in particular 5-foot-8 Kenzi Cheek (7.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.5 spg) and 5-foot-4 Ashlen Garrett (8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 2.3 spg)..
“Kenzi can score from all spots,” Coach Cheek said. “She can defend a lot of different types of players. Ashlen is fast, shoots the ball well and has improved mid-range game this summer. She has the ability to be a great defender.”
5-foot-5 Sadie Redd, 5-foot-6 Autumn Baldwin, 5-foot-11 Jayln Barb, 5-foot-11 Cela Anderson and 5-foot-3 Lily Lynn are also returning sophomores.
Skyline will also benefit from a trio of varsity newcomers this season in 5-foot-5 freshman Jaydin Britton, 5-foot-6 junior Kadence Wallace and 5-foot-5 freshman Jenna Hunt.
“This upcoming season will be a fun experience,” Coach Cheek said. “I like the overall makeup of this group. We have a good mix of returning players. They are willing to do what it takes to get better each day.
Skyline’s bid to continue its successful ways and pursue a deep postseason run will depend largely on its defense this season.
“This group will have to be able to force some full-court turnovers and turn them into easy buckets,” Coach Cheek said. “They must be able to get the half court stops and secure the rebounds to be successful. If we can continue to get better on a daily basis we will be able to accomplish some things.”
Skyline tips off its season Nov. 28 in the Warsaw Tournament.
