By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Rolla Lady Bulldogs have averaged 20 wins per season over the past six years but have come up short in the district tournament in each of those years.
Rolla head coach Charley Parker looks for his squad to break through in 2023-2024.
“I think that a lesson that we learned from last year is growth and knowledge as we come into this year with a more veteran presence,” said Parker, who is approaching 100 wins at Rolla and 200 wins for his career. “Last year, we also blew a large lead in the district finals to West Plains. Having that happen to us, my kids have come into this year understanding the importance of playing every possession and not taking possessions off.”
The Lady Bulldogs finished 23-6 overall, 7-3 in the Ozark Conference, won tournaments at Rolla and Rogersville, and were the runner-up in the St. Charles Tournament.
“I look for us to have another successful season,” Parker said. “I think that if we stay humble, trust in one another and stay healthy, we could compete for a conference and district title. We have come up short for multiple years in a row now and I have some veteran players who are hungry to overcome that challenge.”
Among those “hungry” veterans are seniors Kori Alcorn, Resa Martin and Willow Gideon, and junior Brooke Bleckman.
Kori Alcorn, senior point guard – Averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 assists and 4.3 steals per game; earned OC All-Defensive Team and Area Sportswriters All-District Team honors; Grandview University commit. “Kori is one of the better point guards in south central Missouri,” Parker said. “Her court awareness and basketball IQ is on another level. She strives to make her teammates better, trying to involve them through her play. She controls the tempo for us offensively and is extremely aggressive defensively, leading our team in assists and steals last season. I look for her to continue to make her impact on the floor this year.”
Resa Martin, senior guard – 13.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg; first-team all-conference and Class 5 All-District 6, Area Sportswriters All-District, KJEL All-Star Team; close to surpassing 1,000 career points; Evangel University commit. “Resa is one of the most athletic young ladies that I have had a chance to coach. She helps us tremendously on both sides of the ball. Resa does a great job running the floor helping set the tempo of the game for us. She shoots it well from outside as well as plays off the bounce at an above-average level. Resa does a great job for us defensively, typically guarding one of the opposing team’s best players. I look for her to have a great season for us.”
Willow Gideon, senior guard – 16.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg; Class 5 All-State, all-district, Area Sportswriters All-District, KJEL All-Star Team; scored 1,000th career point in last year’s district final; committed to NCAA-II Washburn University. “Willow is going to go down as one of the best shooters to come through Rolla High School. Coming into her senior season as one of the best shooters in the area, I look for her to have a great senior year. Willow does a great job stretching the defense for us, netting more than 70 3-pointers while shooting at 40 percent. Willow improved a lot on the defensive end of the floor over the summer, and I look for her to make a huge impact on that end of the floor while continually leading us on the offensive end as she has the past couple of years.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF THE WINTER PREVIEWS
Brooke Bleckman, junior forward – “Brooke came off the bench last season and filled some positive minutes for us. She was our second-leading rebounder and helped us on the defensive end of the court, adding some inside presence. Brooke has put in a lot of time this summer and offseason in both the gym and the weight room to help improve her level of play. Brooke understands her role within our program and exceeds expectations for what we ask for. She is a very selfless player and is willing to do anything asked to help her team in any aspect. I am excited for what Brooke is going to bring to the team this season as I think she will play a pivotal role in what we are doing this year.”
Parker said he should have a deeper roster this season. Last year, the Lady Bulldogs played only six or seven players. But this year, if the newcomers contribute right away, they could play as many as nine on varsity.
Those newcomers whom Parker will be looking to make an impact include Akaela Caquelin, Mariah Watkins, Rylee Dodson, Rylie Bales and Riley Ball.
Akaela Caquelin, junior transfer from Newburg – Averaged 19.3 points per game; earned Class 2 All-State, Class 2 All-District 9, first-team All-Frisco League and KJEL All-Star selection. “Akaela is a crafty player who can help stretch the defense out with the ability to shoot the 3 at a high percentage,” Parker said. “She has the ability to create for herself and shoot off the dribble, making herself tough to guard. Akaela plays good on-ball defense and anticipates passing lanes leading to steals and quick transition breakouts. Akaela is a great addition to our squad and I look forward to her junior season and what she will bring to our club.”
Mariah Watkins, sophomore guard – “Mariah has an opportunity to really come on and contribute for us at the varsity level. She had a great freshman year last year on the junior varsity squad. She stepped up this summer and gave us a lot of positive minutes. Mariah has put in a lot of hard work this offseason in both the gym and weight room trying to improve her game. Mariah is very quick off the dribble and does a great job facilitating for us. She also can shoot it at a high percentage from deep. What I am most impressed with is the spark she adds on the defensive end. I look for her to do great this season.”
Rylee Dodson, freshman – “Rylee is probably one of the most promising freshmen in the area. She had a great summer for us, stepping up when we had some injuries. She plays with veteran presence and controls the game where she needs to. She can score it at multiple levels attacking the rim and shooting it from beyond the arc. She plays defense with high intensity and has a great court awareness. I look for Rylee to come out this season and play a big part in our success.”
Rylie Bales, senior – “Rylie enters her senior year looking to add to the depth to our squad. She has continually grown as an individual and athlete. Rylie had a great summer for us, giving us some great minutes. She is extremely aggressive and quick on the defensive end of the floor, reading passing lanes very well. Rylie has the ability of knocking down the outside shot giving us another weapon from beyond the arc. I look for her to come in this season and give us good minutes and using her abilities to help us succeed.”
Riley Ball, junior – Riley is coming into this season ready to make an impact. She missed her sophomore season due to an injury. Riley gave us productive minutes this summer and does a great job at her role. She can play inside and outside on both ends of the ball. She plays with high intensity and really helps us on the boards. Riley has put in a lot of work this offseason in both the gym and weight room preparing herself for her junior season. I look for her to continue this season on both ends of the floor.”
The Lady Bulldogs lost just two players to graduation, but their loss will be felt in a variety of ways.
Faith Coates, guard – Playing basketball and soccer at Westminster College. “Faith will be missed in our program,” Parker said. “Her leadership and defense will be hard to replace. Faith was always up to the challenge to guard the opposing teams’ best players and did a great job doing it. She represented our program throughout her four years as a great role model.”
Jessica Pritchett, forward – Playing volleyball at Evangel University. “Jessica was a hard worker on both ends of the court. She led us in rebounding and was a great leader both on and off the court. She had a tremendous work ethic putting in a lot of work in both sports on her own time. She is an amazing person and she will be missed throughout our program.”
Parker said the Lady Bulldogs will field a small lineup this season, so rebounding could be an obstacle. But he said his team will work to make it up by trying to create turnovers.
“We are quick and play defense with a high intensity,” Parker said. “We have multiple young ladies who can score it and shoot it at a high percentage from beyond the arc.”
Rolla will open the regular season by hosting the Blue Fish Shootout on Nov. 17-18.
“I like the grit and determination I have with this team,” Parker said. “I can never count them out during any contest. Multiple times last season we were down by double digits throughout the game and they had no quit in them and fought to come back and win those games.
“These young ladies know how to work hard and what it takes to be successful on the court. That fight, determination and intensity level is what I love about this team.”
