By Chris Parker
Sarcoxie girls basketball returns four starters and eight letterwinners from last season’s 8-18 team.
“Our kids were very young last year but gained a ton of experience,” Ellis said. “We saw them progress every day and that continued into the off-season. They have been extremely dedicated to showing up and working hard. This group has something special, and we want to capitalize on that. They are doing everything that is asked of them.”
Sarcoxie will be young once again without a senior on the roster.
The junior class includes Yuletzie Barrios, Laura Greenstreet and Chloe Graber.
Barrios and Greenstreet have demonstrated good leadership abilities.
“Yuletzie has become an incredible leader over the summer and has tremendously improved her offensive skills. She will make huge plays for us this year,” Ellis said. “Laura is a quiet leader who gets her job done. She lifts us up when she is in the game and makes things happen.”
The sophomore class is deep with Remington Garrison, Laney Dorris, Jordyn Misner, Bre Shumake, Ariel Wilson, Baylon Malotte and Noemie Ramirez.
Wilson led that group in scoring at nine points per game to go with 5.7 rebounds.
“Ariel had a ton of athletic ability that she capitalizes on in the game,” Ellis said. “Her ability to jump out of the gym and make plays is second to none.”
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Dorris was the second-leading scorer in the sophomore class at 7.5 points per game.
“Laney is an extremely versatile player,” Ellis said. “She is able to steal the ball and hit shots in transition really well. She is so quick it makes it tough for anyone to catch her. Laney gives us a lot of passion on the floor.”
Misner added in 7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game as a freshman on her way to all-conference honorable mention honors.
“Jordyn is one of our best natural shooters,” Ellis said. “She sees the floor really well and is able to capitalize in key moments for us. Jordyn is very knowledgeable of the game she leads her team well in situational basketball moments.”
Garrison was strong defensively with 2.9 steals per game to go with 5.6 points and 3.2 rebounds.
“As a freshman, Remi was looked to lead us in the point guard position,” Ellis said. “She gained a lot of confidence throughout the year and did a good job leading her team. Remi was also a defensive threat and was able to create a lot of points from her steals. Remi will set the tempo for us offensively.”
Freshmen Lilly Terry and Val Cahill will look to make immediate varsity impacts.
Sarcoxie opens the regular season on Nov. 17 at New Covenant.
“Our philosophy this year is going to be on cleaning up all of the little things,” Ellis said. “We are working to become very disciplined in the details. Every player has a role each trip down the floor and on our team. They have been working very hard to execute their role day in and day out.”
