By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Traditions are pretty straightforward in Walnut Grove – death, taxes and 20-win seasons for the girls basketball program.
The 26-4 Tigers reached the 20-win mark for an incredible 15th straight season last year and captured a 14th district championship over that same time span.
Heading into the 2024-25 campaign, you might as well add Rory Henry to the above list, as the longtime head coach returns for his 15th season at the helm after a one-year hiatus.
Henry’s return couldn’t have been timed any better, either, as Walnut Grove returns its entire starting roster and a pair of all-state selections in Ellie Smith and Jacie Gavisk.
Smith, a 5-foot-6 senior, averaged 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.5 steals last season.
“Ellie had a tremendous year last year and has become an elite player in our area,” Henry said. “She can do a little bit of everything. She has been a three-year all-state player, and we look for her to have a big senior year.”
Gavisk, a 6-foot senior, nearly averaged a double-double last season with 10.97 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest.
“Jacie is very athletic for her size and can step out and shoot it too,” Henry said. “Very tough matchup for most teams and a two-year all-state player.”
Classmates Kelli Albert and Rachael Kruger also return to the starting lineup.
The 5-foot-9 Albert posted 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game last season.
“Very good shooter who can stretch defenses out,” Henry said of Albert. “Also is a matchup problem for smaller guards.”
At 5-foot-10, Kruger averaged 4.94 points and 3.9 rebounds as a junior.
“Tough player and great rebounder and defender,” Henry said of Kruger. “She is our physical presence inside – worked hard on her shot in the offseason so looking for a big year.”
Sadie Loehr rounds out the returning starters.
A 5-foot-8 sophomore, Loehr averaged 4.91 points, and 1.1 rebounds last season.
“Started every game as a freshman – elite defender,” Henry said of Loehr. “Worked hard on her shot and offensive game this offseason.”
5-foot-11 senior Maeli Holman (6.32 ppg, 5.2 rpg), junior Ashtyn Anderson and 5-foot-9 sophomore Ahriana Vinson each played significant roles for the Tigers last season.
Kolbi Albert, Kaylea Dougherty, Laramie Zibell and Aubrey Hailey round out Walnut Grove’s returning players.
“Our biggest strength is our experienced seniors and our tradition here,” Henry said. “We also think we have toughness about us, and we will be very physical. We have a lot of size that many teams don’t have in Class 1. We will be a team that will play fast when we can but will look to exploit mismatches when they present themselves. I think teams will have a tough time matching up with us.”
Henry expects a trio of freshmen to step in and compete for varsity playing time, as well, in Kyndal Henry, Sabrina Loehr and Bella Simpson.
“This is a great group of kids who have experience,” Coach Henry said. “Our challenge will be to come out every night and fight with a target on our backs.
“Our expectations are as high as ever here, and we expect to be competing for a state title in March. We have to keep Improving and our players have fit into their roles and be elite at what they do.”
Following a Nov. 21 jamboree at Bolivar with Morrisville, Ozark and the host school, Walnut Grove will open its season Nov. 26 at Greenfield.
