By Chris Parker
Niangua girls basketball went 14-11 last year playing just five players each night. Three of those players return this year including Ashtyn Callaway, Addison Terry and Allie Petty.
“Last year they were part of the five-girl team and played every minute so they know what it takes to have a winning season,” said Niangua head coach Clint Gazette.
Callway averaged 17 points, 9 rebounds 4.4 steals and 2.7 assists per game on her way to first-team all-conference honors.
“Ashtyn does everything,” Gazette said. “Just a junior, she has 798 points and 481 rebounds, averages over 3 in both steals and assists along with typically guarding the other team’s best player 1-5.”
Terry scored 2.6 points per game with 5.1 rebounds and 1 steal.
“Addison is emotionless and, despite her small frame, had three double-digit rebounding games,” Gazette said.
Petty is the team’s second-leading returning scorer who averaged 4 points per game with 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists last season.
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“Allie should be an offensive nightmare because you don’t expect it,” Gazette said.
With two graduated players from a five-player team, a pair of freshmen will be looked to for immediate production. Those freshmen are Katie Dixon and Josie Desha. Dixon is a 6-foot post player. Desha brings in a lot of experience for a freshman.
“Toughness (will be a strength),” Gazette said. “The freshmen will have no choice because my returning three played every single minute of every single game. They know tough.”
Gazette wants that toughness to not only be a strength but the team’s identity.
“I want people to say what they said last year; We did not expect that. You guys made us earn every point,” Gazette said.
Niangua opens the season on Nov. 18 at Galena.
