By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Walnut experienced a rare hiccup in longtime head coach Rory Henry’s final season.
The 21-7 Tigers fell to Greenfield in the district title game, ending a run of 12-straight district championships.
The storied program welcomes a new face this season, with veteran coach Darin Archer taking over the helm.
“I have been pleasantly surprised from working with this group in the summer,” Archer said. “They have been coached by one of the best in the business in Rory Henry and have experienced a lot of success. I am excited by the opportunity to work with this talented group of young ladies.”
A pair of all-state selections return to lead the Tigers in Ellie Smith and Jaycie Gavisk.
Smith, a 5-foot-7 junior, averaged 15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.2 steals as a sophomore. She received all-conference, all-district and all-state honors in each of her first two seasons with the team.
“Ellie is a special player and person,” Archer said. “She has the ability to take over a game on both ends of the floor. Ellie makes her teammates around her better, and she has a motor that won’t quit. Ellie has the potential to be one of the premier point guards in the area and the state, regardless of class.”
Gavisk, a 6-foot junior, also received all-conference, all-district and all-state honors as a sophomore.
“Jacie played an instrumental role in Walnut Grove’s Final Four run in 2022 and she had a breakout year as a sophomore,” Archer said. “She averaged a double-double and often drew double, and sometimes triple teams, in the post. She is a disruptor on the defensive end and has a great ability to rebound. She can play with her back to the basket or face up. She has a great motor for her height. Jacie has the potential to be one of the premier post players in the area and the state, regardless of class.”
The talented duo will be joined by a host of fellow returnees in 5-foot-8 senior Raygan Dougherty, 5-foot-10 senior Abby Blakemore, 5-foot-9 junior Kelli Albert, 5-foot-10 junior Rachael Kruger, 5-foot-8 sophomore Ahriana Vinson, 5-foot-6 sophomore Kaylea Dougherty and 5-foot-7 sophomore Arianna Batson.
Archer also expects a talented freshman class to compete for varsity minutes, including Sadie Loehr, Ashtyn Anderson, Kolbi Albert, Maeli Holman, Laramie Zibell and Aubrey Hailey.
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“I think the biggest area of concern for me is continuing to figure out what this group needs to make them click on all cylinders,” Archer said. “There will be a learning curve for me as well as the girls, especially early in the season. We have a lot of experience, but we are going to be relatively young across the board. Blending our experienced players with our newcomers will be vital to our success.”
With a host of talent and experience on the roster, Archer believes big things could be in store for his new team as it continues to develop throughout the season.
“This team group is talented, has great size and great depth,” Archer said. “The seniors and juniors experienced getting to a Final Four two years ago, so our upperclassmen have the experience of playing on the big stage. Our underclassmen have experienced success throughout their young career, as well, so it will be important to blend our experienced players and young players as a group, learn roles and complement each other on the floor. This group is very talented, but we need to find our identity as a team.”
Following a Nov. 16 jamboree at Ozark, Walnut Grove opens the regular season Nov. 21 at home against Greenfield.
