By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Carl Junction girls basketball took a step back in 2023-24.
While the 15-12 Bulldogs enjoyed a winning season, the program snapped an eight-season district title streak after falling to Marshfield in the semifinal round.
Head coach Ryan Odaffer will look to field replacements for a talented graduated class, including all-state honoree Kylie Scott
“I think returning three starters in the same system will help us hit the ground running better this year than last,” head coach Ryan Odaffer said. “So, I am excited to see what we can do now that the girls are comfortable in the new system and schemes.”
Dezi Williams, Carl Junction’s second-leading scorer behind Scott, returns to lead the Bulldog attack.
The 5-foot-8 senior averaged 10 points and 3 assists last season.
“Our best all-around player and is the leader of our team,” Odaffer said of Williams. “We will go as far as Dezi takes us.”
She will be joined by 5-foot-7 senior Kenna Ellison, 5-foot-8 senior Delaney Harris, 5-foot-7 senior DeShaye Buerge, 5-foot-7 junior Jadyn Howard and 6-foot sophomore Madalyn Huffman.
Odaffer on Ellison – “Shooter and will bring experience to our team. Rebounds well for her size.”
Odaffer on Harris – “Works hard and hustles down the floor. She finishes extremely well around the basketball. Very athletic and defends well.”
Odaffer on Buerge – “Defensive stopper. COC all-defense last year. Can shoot the ball well. Lead us in 3-pointers made and our third leading scorer.”
Odaffer on Howard – “Second on the team in rebounding (131) and third in assists (44). Jadyn has a chance to take her game to the next level this year. She will be asked to do more on both ends of the floor, and I think she is ready for that challenge.”
Odaffer on Huffman – “Played in 23 varsity games last year as freshman and started several games throughout the season. She has some big shoes to fill with Kylie graduating, but the experience she got last year will help her be successful this year. She has an opportunity to be a dominant post player for us. She led the varsity team in field goal percentage and led our JV last year in scoring and rebounding.”
Odaffer also expects a host of varsity newcomers to step in and compete for minutes this season in Jaisie Hocut, Naveah Triplett, Greenly Wade, Dempsey Harris, Kate Odaffer, Audrey Besperat, Aubrey Sills and Ravelyn Smith.
“These girls all have a chance to play and make an impact on varsity this year,” Coach Odaffer said. “We will see how they do in practice to start the year and then how they develop throughout the season. There are going to be several girls that are going to surprise a lot of people.”
For Carl Junction to take the next step and return to district dominance, Odaffer believes team chemistry and willingness to make the necessary sacrifices will be key factors throughout the season’s development.
“We look to compete every game and work hard and improve every practice,” Coach Odaffer said. “We have a mix of returners and newcomers, so we will look to mesh them together to have the best team we can put on the floor come conference and district time of the season.
“Senior leadership is a strength, and our youth is going to be huge down the stretch. I don’t know who is going to rise out of the mix, but it will be fun to watch them throughout the season and to see who emerges from the pack.”
Following a Nov. 19 jamboree at Webb City with Aurora, Neosho and the host school, Carl Junction will open its season Nov. 26 at home against Carthage.
