By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Strafford Lady Indians will return an experienced and deep roster when they take the court this season.
“Our philosophy will be to play as a team on both sides of the ball,” said head coach Dustin Larsen, who enters his sixth year at Strafford. “We feel like we have good depth and a group that wants to compete each day to make each other better.
“Everyone will need to understand the importance of roles; getting better each day will be our main focus.”
The Lady Indians, who finished 17-11 overall and 2-2 in the Mid-Lakes Conference in 2023-2024, lose just one starter and welcome back six letterwinners, including three starters.
“We had a strong summer with great attendance and a very good preseason,” said Larsen, who is 113-36 in five seasons at Strafford, including one of the five state championships the Lady Indians have won (2019-2020). “I feel like we will be a very balanced team with good depth.”
Highlighting the Lady Indians’ lineup are seniors Brooklyn Adney and Ellie Heil, and juniors Elsie Larsen, Zoe Allison, Ayda Baker and Lizzy Vanhorn.
Elsie Larsen, 5-9 junior (returning starter) – Earned Class 3 All-State honors, including Class 3 Player of Year, Class 3 All-District 11 and Player of Year, All-Mid-Lakes Conference first team (unanimous selection); has interest from several NCAA D-I schools. “Elsie is our floor general,” said her dad, Coach Larsen. “(She’s a) great passer, selfless, and can score at all three levels, making those around her better. We are excited for her junior year.”
Brooklyn Adney, 5-7 senior (returning starter) – Named All-MLC honorable mention. “We are looking for a strong senior year from Brooklyn. She is a good leader, ballhandler, passer and shooter.”
Zoe Allison, 5-9 junior (returning starter) – “We look for Zoe to really be physical around rim this year and be able to step out and shoot from behind the arc.”
Ayda Baker, 5-6, junior – “Ayda is a crafty guard who continues to improve all aspects of her game.”
Ellie Heil, 5-8 senior – “Ellie shot the ball well the second half of last season, so we are excited to see her build on that in her senior year and bring great leadership.”
Lizzy Vanhorn, 5-7 junior – “Lizzy is a great leader and has improved her shooting in the offseason.”
Larsen will look to junior Carly Davis, sophomores Lydia Goodin and Chloe Henson, as well as a good freshman class to add depth for the Lady Indians this winter.
Lydia Goodin, 5-6 sophomore – “Lydia is a scrappy, hard-nosed defender with great speed,” Larsen said. “(Lydia) has grown in confidence on both sides of the ball and we look forward to seeing her continued growth this season.”
Chloe Henson, 5-6 sophomore – “Chloe is a consistent, strong defender with good speed, and is physical taking the ball off the dribble.”
Carly Davis, 5-8 junior – “Carly is a physical and athletic player and a good defender. (We are) looking for a strong junior year from her.”
Freshman Class – “We have several young players that will compete at a high level for potential playing time and we expect to have a positive impact on our team this upcoming season.”
Strafford will need to find a way to fill the void left by starting guard Lauren Jones, who is now playing basketball at NCAA D-III Westminster College. Jones was a Class 3 all-state, all-district and all-conference selection.
“Lauren had a great career for us and was a staple in our program the past four years. She was great on both sides of the ball, so we will have big shoes to fill.”
The Lady Indians open the regular season at Flippin, Ark., on Nov. 26, with early nonconference challenges at El Dorado Springs (Dec. 16), at home vs. Republic (Dec. 19) and at Skyline (Jan. 16). Strafford also will compete in the Willard Basketball Classic (Dec. 4-7), Stephanie Phillips Classic (Dec. 12-14) and Sophie Cunningham Classic (Jan. 11-12).
“We play a tough schedule, so it will be a great challenge every night,” Larsen said. “Our nonconference schedule, conference, tournaments and district will bring great challenges, but those challenges are opportunities for growth.
“Everyone will need to put the team first. When you have good depth, you’ve got to be selfless.”
