By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Coming off back-to-back state championships, Fair Grove Lady Eagles head coach Gary Greene knows his team will have a target on its back but believes it will be up for the challenge.
“We will be as tested as anyone in the area this year as well,” said Greene, who enters his second year at Fair Grove and reached career win No. 400 last season in Year 23. “Our strength of schedule is unreal. There were not very many nights where we could coast, so that experience is invaluable this year and knowing that we are good enough to compete with anyone.”
The Lady Eagles won their last eight games of the season to capture their second-straight Class 3 state title, finishing 25-7 overall and 4-1 in the Mid-Lakes Conference. They picked up some quality wins that helped pave the way, including wins over Nixa (Class 6), West Plains (Class 5) and Strafford (Class 3).
“I believe we will, if healthy, be one of the better teams in the area,” said Greene, who was named Class 3 and Class 3 District 11 Coach of the Year. “We have size, strength, speed and, most importantly, experience. Most of our varsity players have played in two state championship games, so we are not overwhelmed in the moment.”
The Lady Eagles return eight experienced seniors to the varsity squad, led by all-state performers Ashton Bell, Brooke Daniels and Abbey Green.
Ashton Bell, 5-foot-9 senior – Averaged 15.3 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game; Class 3 All-State, Class 3 All-District 11, All-Mid-Lakes Conference first team (unanimous); four-year starter; committed to Evangel University. “Ashton plays with a never-ending motor and she isn’t afraid to take a big shot at any time,” Greene said. “She plays as hard as anyone on both ends. Ashton’s defense is also a strength as she always makes it tough on her opponent on the defensive end. Ashton is a great teammate and terrific basketball player who is a go-to player on both ends of the floor – one of the area’s best.”
Brooke Daniels, 5-5 senior – 8.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.2 assists per game, 2.3 steals per game; Class 3 All-State, Class 3 All-District 11, All-Mid-Lakes Conference first team. “Brooke is a two-time all-stater who is the heart and soul of this team; big-game player who shows up every night. A great defender who can change a game on both ends of the floor with her speed and ability to go full speed with the ball. Brooke has no quit and never gets tired.”
Abbey Green, 5-11, senior – 10.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg; Class 3 All-State, Class 3 All-District 11, All-Mid-Lakes Conference second team. “A great athlete who came into her own last year making all-state. Abbey is a matchup nightmare for other teams as her length and athleticism is off the charts. Abbey plays as hard as anyone on the floor and can guard any player on the floor. A great athlete with tremendous length and a very strong presence in the post who is actually better facing the basket; one of the better offensive rebounders in the area.”
Cam Hart, 5-10 senior – 7.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg; all-conference second team. “Cam was huge for us at the end of the year as she guarded some of the best players in Class 3 in postseason and did an amazing job on those players. We don’t win the title without what she did. Cam also is a nightmare matchup for guards, as she is big and strong and can play inside or take you outside. Cam is a very good 3-point shooter who I believe will have a monster year and people should overlook her at their own peril.”
Emma Padgett, 5-9 senior – 2.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg. “Emma battled injuries early in the year but came on big in the second half of the season, jumping into the starting lineup after Hannah Maxwell went down with an injury. Emma was a huge presence on defense in the final four and had a big impact on the outcome of the title game with several blocks and some big free throws in the state title game. Incredible athlete with a tremendous vertical leap. Offseason surgery will slow her a bit, but she will be ready to go.”
Shea Skouby, 5-10 senior – 3.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg. “A valuable post presence off the bench last year who looks to move into a starting role with a great summer. Shea had a huge game in the semifinal game last year. A very physical and athletic body who can run the floor and rebound on both ends of the floor. Shea is going to have a great year for us.”
Emaley Stallings, a 5-7 senior, will be coming off the bench this year after a “stellar JV season last year.” Meadow Carter, a 5-3 senior, also will be coming off the bench this season.
“We had a good summer,” Greene said. “Our kids played a lot of basketball against some really quality opponents and we have stayed committed to the weight room and the strength and conditioning that has served us so well.
“I love our ability to defend and our overall team speed is above average at every spot. I love the fact that we have so much depth and athleticism.”
Greene says there are some newcomers who he thinks could contribute this season.
Becca Kepes, 5-7 junior – “A great scorer who had a big year on our JV and had a very good summer; will look to compete for minutes.”
Sage Crowley – 5-3 sophomore – “Probably the first player off the bench; extremely quick and a very good shooter.”
Kara Padgett, 5-6 junior – “Athletic player with great instincts who is an active defender and will compete for minutes off the bench.”
Fair Grove loses the experience of Maxwell (playing volleyball at Mission University), Allison Findley (playing volleyball at College of the Ozarks), and Taylor Green (running track at Southwest Baptist University.)
“(They were) great kids who gave tremendous effort to our program,” Greene said. “They were tremendous competitors who will be greatly missed.”
The Lady Eagles will participate in the Marshfield Jamboree on Nov. 19, and will open the regular season at home in the Fair Grove Invitational Tournament (Dec. 2-6) and then at the Stephanie Phillips Classic (Dec. 12-14).
“My expectations are that we will compete every night and be a really tough team to beat,” Greene said. “If we stay healthy, I believe we have a chance to be very good.”
