By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportssZone.com)
The Ash Grove Lady Pirates will look to build upon the success of the past four years, but it will be a tall task heading into the 2022-2023 season.
The members of the Class of 2022 were key to four-straight district final appearances, winning the Class 3 District 11 title in 2021. The Lady Pirates must overcome the loss of these four graduates.
• Khloe Moad – A Class 3 all-state, all-district and all-conference selection. Now playing at Missouri State University. “A four-year varsity starter as a swing forward, has been a rim protector since she came in as a freshman,” said Bryan Dean, who enters his ninth season at Ash Grove. “She was always a team leader in points, shot-blocking and rebounding categories. She could average a double-double every night and added a few triple-doubles for her career. We will miss her scoring (top 5 all-time), rebounding and rim protection (all-time blocks leader) on the floor.”
• Brittney Gilliland – Named all-district and all-conference first team; now playing at Missouri Valley College. “A three-year varsity starter that was our point guard, but ended up a great floor general on both defense and offense for the program. Her competitive attitude and ball skills provided the edge on the floor that created energy and confidence throughout the team.”
• Julianna Torbett – “A four-year letterwinner that was the 6th man most of her sophomore year, but found her way into a starting spot her junior and senior years. She would create a lot of energy in the transition game and tremendous ball pressure on the premier.” Was a track and field state champion in the long jump.
• Emma McClelland – Earned all-district and all-conference second-team honors. “A four-year letterwinner who was our 3-point shooter. She hit big shots as a freshman and continued to lead the team in 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made. We will miss her scoring, but her basketball IQ was top-notch. She always understood the situation and used it as another coach on the floor.”
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The Lady Pirates return just one starter in Savanna Pratt, but will need to replace the offense lost to graduation.
• Savanna Pratt, 5-7 senior. Averaged 5.9 ppg and 1.3 rpg. “Our fifth starter from last year. Strong defender in the post and will anchor the rebounding. She will need to find her opportunities to score.”
• Bethany Wheeler, 5-6 junior. Averaged 3.1 ppg. “A motor on defense. She will have to guard the best ballhandler from the team we play.”
• Meagan Hawkins, 5-7 junior. Averaged 3.2 ppg and 1.3 rpg. “She will be a shooter for us. We need to work to get her the ball in transition and when she gets her feet set.
• Madison Lutz, 5-10, junior. Averaged 5.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 2.2 spg. “A mismatch on the floor. She has a ton of length that deflects balls and can get her shot off.”
• Evelynn Carter, 5-6, senior. Averaged 1.8 rpg. “Another strong post that will pound inside for boards and defend the rim.”
• Renely Bagley, 5-7, senior. Averaged 2.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.0 apg. “She has an IQ for the game. She will be a dependable asset on the defensive end. She will need to find her rhythm on offense.”
• Cora Duit, 5-9, sophomore. Aveaged 3.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg. “A young player that has tons of upside. She will need to be aggressive on both sides of the ball. Looking to see her help with the ballhandling.”
Ash Grove will have some newcomers to provide depth this season.
Nakayla Gray, 5-6, senior guard, Madison King, 5-9 junior forward, move-in from Spokane, Chelsye Graham, 5-9 junior and Kaitlyn Stafford, 5-5 sophomore.
The Lady Pirates open the season on the road at Spokane on Nov. 18, at Crane on Nov. 21 and in the Morrisville Tournament on Nov. 28-Dec. 3.
“This upcoming season will consist of using and capitalizing on the large accomplishments we gained from the past years,” Dean said. “The team will build on wanting to make their own valuable experiences and reap the rewards of having another year on the floor with big moments.
“The growth of our team will be built through the things we call ‘little details.’ We expect to keep a defensive mindset, outrebound our opponents, limit turnovers and adding to the confidence we gained from last season and over the summer. We have a great group of ladies that love being around each other and playing for each other.”
