By Chris Parker
Niangua girls basketball finished 13-13 last season.
This year, the Lady Cardinals return their top player in Ashtyn Callaway. The senior has signed to play collegiately with Friends University in Wichita, Kan.
“Ashtyn is a very talented guard that can score on all three levels,” Niangua head coach Kodey Weaver said. “She is a strong finisher at the rim and has improved her three-point shot from last year. She is the leader of our team and will be asked to do a little of everything this year.”
Callaway scored 18.3 points per game with 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.7 steals per game last season.
Sophomores Ashleigh Vestal, Kaite Dixon and Kayla Moore also return for Niangua.
Weaver on Vestal: “Ashleigh will be asked to increase her role this year. She has great length and athleticism and has improved her ball handling skills from last year.”
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Weaver on Dixon: “Katie has a great post presence and has soft touch around the rim. She can also step outside and knock down a three when needed.”
Weaver on Moore: “Kayla will bring a good defensive presence as well as a willingness to rebound.”
Freshman Graycee Piene and sophomore Ezara King will be newcomers to the varsity.
Youth will be a theme for this team.
“With only one senior, we are a very young team. We still need to improve our ability to take care of the basketball and gain more varsity experience,” Weaver said. “Our biggest strength this year will be our defensive intensity. I believe our defense will help us score offensively.”
Niangua opens the regular season on Nov. 17 at home against Galena.
“To be a successful season, I want to see continued improvement from our younger players and to be competitive in a majority of our games,” Weaver said. “We want to be known as a team who will play hard until the buzzer sounds.”
