By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Led by senior Hailey Shannon, the Cabool Lady Bulldogs earned a 15-10 record and lost to Dora in the district championship game (50-43) last season. Dora advanced to the quarterfinal round of state playoffs.
Now that all-district, all-conference, and all-state selection Shannon, who led the team in nearly every category, is playing at Baptist Bible College, the team “has some big shoes to fill,” per head coach Rance Beller. The team will also have to replace Morganne Aaron, who “understood how to play the game,” per Beller.
As he enters his 22nd year of coaching, Beller returns five lettermen. “We will have players who are all playing either a new role, or getting their first taste of starting at the varsity level,” he said.
One question mark for the team is Maddie Gayer, who broke her collarbone in a game late in the year and is still recovering after surgeries. Beller said Gayer is expected to be healthy and to make a big contribution for the Lady Bulldogs. “She is a hardnosed defender and a capable offensive player,” he said. The senior averaged 6.7 points per game last season.
Makalah Watson also has fought off injury after a bad ankle sprain late in the year, but Beller said she had a really nice summer for the team. “She has improved every year, and we expect her to continue to get better,” he added. The 5’6” senior averaged 9.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
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Junior Hannah McCrosky is a defensive-minded player who will have a chance to earn more playing time this year.
Bailey Aaron is also a junior “that can really get hot from the outside,” said Beller. “If she can gain some consistency, she could have a great year.” She averaged 3.9 points per game in her sophomore season.
Junior Hannah Janson, 6’1”, is ready to contribute at the varsity level and has continued to improve each year.
Sophomore Makinley Aaron “was thrown right into the fire as a freshman and had a really nice year for us,” said Beller. “I look for her offensive game to really come around this year.” The 5’8” sophomore averaged 5.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in her breakout season.
With the absence of Shannon, Cabool’s offensive attack will be more balanced among players this year.
“We are a close group that will work and get better as the year goes on,” said Coach Beller. “I am excited to get this year started and to see where this team will go.”
The Lady Bulldogs will participate in a jamboree at Bradleyville November 11 with Bakersfield
