By Chris Parker
Ash Grove girls basketball is looking to bounce back from a seven-win season with four players returning who averaged at least 3.1 points per game last year. The seven-win campaign snapped a streak of four consecutive winning seasons.
“This upcoming season will consist of using and capitalizing from our gained experiences from the last year and the summer opportunities,” Ash Grove head coach Bryan Dean said. “The team will build on the wanting to make their own valuable experiences and reap the rewards of having another year on the floor within big moments. The growth of our team will be built through the things we call little details. We expect to keep a defensive mindset, out rebound our opponents, limit turnovers, and keep adding to the confidence we gained from last season and over the summer. We have a great group of ladies that love being around each other and playing for each other.”
The four returning players are Seniors Bethany Wheeler, Madison Lutz and Chelsye Graham and junior Cora Duit.
Wheeler averaged 5.9 points, 3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
“She was the heart of the team last year,” Dean said. “Looking forward to her continuing this attitude. She took on a lot of responsibilities. She has a motor on defense. She will have to guard the best player from the other team we play.”
Lutz is the top returning scorer and rebounder at 6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
“A mismatch on the floor,” Dean said. “She has a ton of length. Defensively, deflects balls, led the team last year in rebounds and blocks. Offensively can get her shot off and can go inside or out due to her mismatch.”
Graham contributed 3.1 points and 3.2 assists per game.
“(She is) a player that has tons of upside,” Dean said. “She will need to demand the ball on offense and defensive use her length to defend passing lanes on both sides of the ball.”
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Duit added in 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in her sophomore season.
“(Duit is) our only true five-man that is strong and a great competitor,” Dean said. “She is a strong defender in the post and will anchor the rebounding. She will need to find her opportunities to score.”
Millison Sapp (freshman), Bristol Lathrop (freshman), Kennedy Lathrop (sophomore), Myah Johnson (junior) and Kacee May (junior) are newcomers to watch.
Dean on Sapp: “Point guard who has played a lot of basketball and wants to compete. She will bring in the skill sets this team needs; ball handling in traffic, the motor to push in offense transition, defensive ball pressure, and a scorer.”
Dean on Bristol Lathrop: “Guard and forward (with) a great combination of athleticism and height with the skill sets to isolate and win one-on-one, as well as, being a great passer; always looking to get a teammate open.”
Dean on Kennedy Lathrop: “Shooting guard that can get knock down shots on the perimeter. She is a great teammate and bought into our brand of basketball. Her length will help stop dribble drives on defense.”
Dean on Johnson: “Forward that will help guard bigs in the paint, plus has the ability to shoot out on the perimeter.”
Dean on May: “Guard that has a motor that doesn’t quit. She will be a defensive specialist for us putting pressure on the ball and run and jump traps.”
This group brings great versatility.
“(Our) biggest strength would be our length and being interchangeable,” Dean said. “We can find mismatches and expose them.”
Ash Grove got off to a good start this season with wins over Spokane and Crane.
“Our philosophy for the season is to continue “Respect the tradition, Leave a Legacy”. This stems from my first year, the team’s motto “NO Excuses”,” Dean said. “This group took the challenge to heart, making our attitudes and work-ethic those of seasoned varsity returners that valued the standard of our program. We struggled with scoring last season, but we created an understanding of what we need to do to get better opportunities and not to waste the opportunities we have to score this summer. Last year was a losing season, which isn’t the standard of this program. This is where the team resets; uses last year as motivation and a focus of what takes to win. So, every moment throughout last season was a teachable opportunity allowing us the ability to learn and apply in these moments and strengthen the foundation of our program.”
