By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Nevada girls basketball team has amassed four district championships over the last six years, but in 2023, the Tigers accomplished history.
Nevada reached the state quarterfinals for the first time in 25 years, ending the season with a 22-7 record after falling to Benton 53-45.
Aspirations remain high entering 2024. The Tigers lost starters Maddy Majors and Abbey Heathman to graduation. Both were All-Big 8 West performers, with Majors receiving first-team honors and Heathman taking home second-team recognition.
However, senior and Pittsburg State commit Clara Swearingen will lead this year’s Tigers. Classmate Katie Johnson and junior Caylee Holcomb also return to Nevada’s starting lineup.
Swearingen, a first team all-conference selection and all-stater, averaged a team-high 16.6 points per game last year. She grabbed almost six rebounds and handed out two assists a night.
“She is very athletic and skilled on the basketball floor,” head coach Blake Howarth said. “Clara is a great leader for us. She also works hard on both ends of the floor. She finished the season with 89 3-pointers and has made 190 3s in her career. We will look to Clara to continue to lead us on both ends of the floor.”
Johnson will anchor the Tigers on defense after being named to the conference All-Defensive Team last year. She averaged four points, four rebounds, over one steal and one assist per game as a junior.
“Katie is our motor. She sets the tone for us at practice and games,” Howarth said. “Katie has done a better job looking to score for us. We will lean on her to continue to work on that and to help us on the offensive end. Katie pushes herself to be the best and we want her to push her teammates this season to fill some spots we lost due to graduation.”
Howarth looks for continued growth from Holcomb entering her junior campaign.
“Caylee was our go-getter last season,” the coach said. “She’s able to use her quickness and skill for us on the defensive end. Caylee is another one we will need to step up and look to score for us this season. She has a lot of potential. We are excited to see her grow this season.”
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Nevada has several other returning players, including seniors Lakyn Applegate and Kara Phillips and juniors Peyton Eaton, Halle Richmond and Mary Russell. Sophomores Alaina Hardin and Addi McInroy round out the Tigers returnees.
Howarth said Applegate is skilled on the offensive end with her ability to score. She’s able to knock down shots and looks to step up on the defensive end, while Phillips is a lengthy, athletic player who has a high motor and looks to use her athleticism to make an impact on both ends.
Eaton is an athletic guard who is quick and has a knack for being around the basketball, Howarth said. Richmond, a skilled post player, provides the Tigers with good length and rebounding.
Howarth said Hardin is an athletic guard who worked on her shooting last season. She looks to step up and knock down shots on the offensive end, while McInroy is described as another
go-getter who looks to contribute on both ends of the floor this season.
Clara’s younger sister, Lucy, looks to compete for playing time as well. Howarth said the freshman is athletic and skilled with good ball handling skills, ability to shoot and score off the dribble. Nevada looks to use her athleticism to be a floor general this season.
“I’m very excited to get back in the gym and watch our girls grow as players and individuals,” Howarth said. “We have a great group of girls. Having that brings up the excitement level even more. Our girls come to practice and games with the right attitude and compete. We have a good team bond and will look to continue that with our program and incoming freshmen.
“I want our girls to have fun and enjoy playing the game the right way. We will continue to grow as players and people. We will look to do our best in representing Nevada athletics.”
Nevada will jamboree with Seneca and Wheatland at home on Nov. 14. The Tigers host Lebanon on Nov. 21 in their season opener.
