By Chris Parker
Humansville girls basketball will have a new look this year with just two players from last season’s lineup returning and seven total on the roster.
“We graduated four players who had a big impact on our program, but we are excited about the young group we have,” Humansville head coach Miranda Chaney said. “We will have a new identity. We have upper-class leadership and a young group that has had success and knows how to compete. We will be able to take care of the ball better this year and more kids will be comfortable with the ball in their hands. We only have seven kids, so numbers will be tough at times. Our seven kids are tough kids who will go all out every play. Look for us to settle down and learn roles and improve quickly as the season goes on.”
The senior leaders will be Gabbie Kendall and Aaliyah Hudson.
Kendall was named second-team all-conference last season scoring 12 points per game with eight rebounds.
“She (Kendall) has had tremendous growth as a player,” Chaney said. “She spent her summer improving her game. She has had more of an impact as a post the last three years but has developed better ball handling skills and is a three-point threat now. She is a great rebounder who is not afraid of contact. She will be a team leader and looked to lead us in most stats her senior year. She is tall, long and extremely athletic. Look for her to have a breakout senior year.”
Hudson averaged 3 points and 3 rebounds per game last season.
“Aaliyah has fought injuries throughout her career,” Chaney said. “She is hoping to enter her senior year injury free and healthy. She is a long quick guard who extends the floor for us.”
Madalyn McCoy returns for her sophomore season as the roster’s only other non-freshman.
“She (McCoy) is a tough kid who started playing basketball last year,” Chaney said. “She is a quick learner and a go-getter. She is a great teammate and role player.”
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Freshmen Bella Hamby, Kylee Proctor, Jaeylynn Hebert and Aaliyha Kendall round out the roster.
Chaney on Hamby: “Bella Hamby will have an instant impact on our team. She will be our primary ball handler and asked to have a big role as a freshman. She is young but has a good skill set and basketball IQ. She can score and defend.”
Chaney on Proctor: “Kylee Proctor (FR) will also be an instant impact on our team. She is a great competitor with a calm demeanor. She will play inside most often but does have the ball handling skills to pull the ball out. She is a great rebounder with a nose for the ball.”
Chaney on Hebert: “Jaeylynn Hebert improved this summer and is always ready to work and get better. She is a tough kid who is working on becoming a great rebounder.”
Chaney on Kendall: “Aaliyha Kendall and Jaey will both give us much needed minutes and both capable of becoming big inside players.”
This team will look to come together to form a new identity for Humansville girls basketball.
“We are young and want to learn. We get to form a new identity than what we have been in the past. Even though we are young, our underclassmen should be able to handle the ball and score,” Chaney said. “We are low on numbers. With only seven players, we will have to play smart basketball and keep everyone healthy. We will need to be a young but composed team.”
Humansville opens the regular season on Nov. 27 at School of the Ozarks.
