By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Glendale girls basketball enjoyed another successful season in 2023-24.
The 20-7 Falcons posted a second-straight 20-win season, falling to Ozark in the district tournament.
“We had a great season last year and gained a ton of experience along the way,” head coach Matt Powell said. “Our goal this year will be to build on the last couple years and advance farther into the postseason.”
Heading into his third season at the helm, Powell has reason to be optimistic.
His dynamic scoring duo of Mattie Zingg and Ari Warren both return to lead Glendale’s attack.
Zingg, a 6-foot junior all-conference and all-district selection, averaged 13.1 points, 6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals last season.
“Mattie is a matchup problem that can play in the paint and makes a high percentage from 3,” Powell said. “She is always working to get better, and she is going to get a lot of attention every game. We need her to keep improving in every aspect.”
Warren, a 5-foot-3 sophomore all-conference honoree, recorded 13.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.4 steals per contest as a freshman.
“Ari can score in bunches,” Powell said. “She is a year older, and we think she will be able to finish around the basket a little better this year which will open up her entire game.”
The pair will be joined by a quintet of talented seniors in 5-foot-8 Maya Morse, 5-foot-8 Megan Wade, 5-foot-3 Amia Burke-Marr, 5-foot-11 Raegan Randall and 5-foot-10 Audrey Duvall.
Powell on Morse – “Maya is a workhorse on defense and someone who could become our leader. She has worked hard to improve offensively. You always know what you will get from Maya, she has no off switch.”
Powell on Wade – “Megan will provide athleticism on defense and can make the three. She is a great offensive rebounder. We will need Megan to get a little more comfortable handling the ball.”
Powell on Burke-Marr – “Amia has worked so hard the last three years and could be a leader on the team. She will space the floor offensively and get to the right sport defensively. She is going to have a great senior year simply because she shows up and is willing to do whatever job is necessary to better the team.”
Powell on Randall – “Raegan has good size and is a solid player on both ends of the floor. She got meaningful minutes for a stretch last year mid-season when we had a couple injuries. We look forward to Raegan continuing to improve.”
Powell on Duvall – “Audrey is long and capable of playing in multiple spots on defense. She played in 23 games last year.”
Powell also expects a host of newcomers to step in and compete for varsity minutes, including 5-foot-8 sophomore Eva Spurlin, 5-foot-6 sophomore Kensie Miner, 6-foot-1 sophomore Elle Givens, 5-foot-6 sophomore Kaitlyn Burri and 5-foot-11 junior Analiese Horberg.”
“Our biggest strength will be the experience we return,” Powell said. “We are very guard heavy, and most of our kids are comfortable handling the ball and knowing their role. Mattie and Ari are great basket makers that also make their teammates better. We need some of the others to expand their role from last year just a little to keep building on our success.”
Following a Nov. 20 jamboree at Nixa with Sparta, Chadwick and the host school, Glendale will open its season Nov. 26 at home against Norwood.
