By Chris Parker
Clayton Bagby enters his first season as head coach of the Cassville girls basketball program looking to instill toughness and togetherness into his new team.
“(We want to be) tough-minded, never-quit, team-first players,” Bagby said. “There will be a lot of parity in conference and districts, so we will need to bring it every day, improve every day, and hopefully put ourselves in a position to be competitive come districts and take advantage in the 50/50 games.”
He inherits a program that has been steadily improving over the past several seasons going from six wins four seasons ago to 14 wins last year.
Two seniors return to lead the team in Marianna McCrackin and Ashlynn Bryan.
McCrackin was named honorable mention all-conference last year.
“(McCrackin is a) four-year starter at point guard that has worked to develop outside game as well as going to the basket,” Bagby said. “She should also cause trouble for opposing teams defensively.”
Bryan lettered her first three years and started last year. She is a hard worker who can shoot from the outside and be disruptive on the defensive end.
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Junior Madison Halterman and Pazlee Burbridge return after splitting starts last year.
“Madison loves being in the gym and continues to improve. We look for her to step up offensively this year,” Bagby said. “Pazlee provides length and can shoot from the outside. We will look to try and put her in spots defensively to take advantage of her length and athleticism.”
Sophomore Kyler Hayward will be a newcomer looking to help with the point guard duties.
Classmates Hailie Gautney, Aleigha Bryan and Ellie Raemaker along with senior Macie Barton will be contending for varsity minutes.
This will be an athletic group that must step up to replace the production of graduated players.
“We have good athletes and will look to use that to play great defense and disrupt teams and try and create offense from it,” Bagby said. “We lost about 50% of scoring and rebounding. We will need players to step up and knock down shots and make up for those losses.”
Cassville opens the regular season on Nov. 21 at home against Pierce City.
