By Chris Parker
School of the Ozarks girls basketball graduated two starters and four lettermen from last season’s four-win team.
A junior quartet of Faith Martin, Kinley Sharp, Holland Houston and Lily Todd return for the Patriots this season. Martin averaged 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game last season. Sharp scored 6 points per game with 5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 3 steals. Todd led the group in scoring at 6.5 points per game with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Houston added in 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Sophomore Rae Blackwell is also back after averaging 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game as a freshman.
Junior Mylee Hampsch and senior Samara Smith will look to make impacts for School of the Ozarks this season as newcomers to the varsity team.
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“Coaches are optimistic about our improvement this year,” said Co-Head Coaches Jerry and Andrea Martin. “We have a good core group of juniors that played tons of minutes last year as sophomores. They were thrown in the fire and gained a lot of experience. Even though that did not turn into many wins it was essential for their growth. This year by adding Samara Smith to the group with her previous experience should help us make strides toward improving on last season. She is a great leader and adds needed skill and size on both ends of the floor. Biggest thing we’d like to accomplish this year is to be better, tougher and more aggressive on defense. The other big thing is taking care of the ball. Our primary guards were ninth and tenth graders last year. We believe that year of experience will help us when we see pressure this year.”
School of the Ozarks opens the season on Nov. 18 at home against Humansville.
