By Denise Tucker (For the OzarksSportsZone.com)
Logan-Rogersville returns an experienced roster that helped lead the Lady Wildcats to their first district championship since winning back-to-back titles in 2018-2019, and that has head coach Cory Watts excited about 2024-2025.
“Even though we only have one senior, we are very experienced and should be ready for the challenges a season brings,” said Watts, who enters his fourth year at Logan-Rogersville and was named Class 4 District 11 Coach of the Year. “We expect to be very competitive this season. We always set goals of winning the conference and the district.
“Experience will be our strength this year. We have really relied on underclassmen the last two years. With all the games they have played over the last two years, they should be prepared for all challenges and provide leadership to our strong sophomore class.”
Lady Wildcats finished 21-8 overall and 4-2 in the Big 8 East Conference in 2023-2024, and return four juniors, a sophomore and a senior to this year’s lineup.
Hailey Buckman, 6-0 junior shooting guard – Earned Class 4 All-District 11 and Player of the Year, and All-Big 8 East Conference honors; holds offers from Southeast Missouri State and Nebraska-Kearney. “Hailey is long guard that is a tremendous offensive threat,” Watts said. “She can score from anywhere on the floor. She is an excellent rebounder and a much-improved defender. She will be one of the better guards in southwest Missouri.”
Eden Kibby, 5-6 junior shooting guard – Named all-district and all-conference second team. “Eden is one of the area’s best 3-point shooters. She made 85 3-pointers last season while shooting 45 percent. Eden continues to develop her game beyond just being a shooter.”
Reagan Rasmussen, 6-1 junior center – All-district, all-conference first team and all-conference defensive team. “(Reagan is) a long, athletic post player that has the ability to rebound, block shots and score. Reagan has really improved her offensive game since her freshman year and we expect her to be one of the area’s top players.”
Millie MacPherson, 5-5 sophomore point guard – Earned Class 4 All-District 11. “Millie is a true point guard that added stability to our backcourt last year. She was able to contribute as a freshman and we expect to see continued growth. Millie will be one of our better defenders and another weapon that can score from the perimeter.”
Hayden Cleghorn, 5-6 senior shooting guard – “Hayden is our only senior; we look to lean on her for leadership. She is capable of providing perimeter scoring for us and defending good guards.”
Taylor Wray, 5-6 junior shooting guard – “Taylor is another athletic guard. She plays with a very high level of intensity. She will be an asset to us defensively. Taylor will be assigned to defend the other team’s best player most nights.”
“I really like our depth this season,” Watts said. “We will play eight to nine girls. We will be more athletic and that will allow us to do a number of different things.”
Watts said sophomores Courtney Batey, Addison Cleghorn and Sidney Holland could see more varsity minutes this season.
Courtney Batey, 5-8 forward – “Courtney has the ability to defend in the post and on the perimeter,” Watts said. “She also shoots the ball very well. She will be a big part of our rotation this year.”
Addison Cleghorn, 5-8 shooting guard – “Addison is another talented sophomore. She is a strong guard that has a ton of potential. She will help in the backcourt and be another scoring threat. She will be expected to contribute this season.”
Sidney Holland, 5-9 guard – “Sidney is very athletic; another very talented sophomore. She will be one of our best defenders and has the ability to disrupt the other team with her length and quickness. She also will be another threat on the offensive end and be expected to contribute this season.”
“Our girls have really bought in on spending time in the gym and working on their craft,” Watts said about the team’s offseason. “The majority of our girls also competed at a high level with their club teams this summer as well. They should be prepared.”
Watts said the team will miss the leadership and intensity of forwards Chayla Perry (all-conference honorable mention) and Emma Spurlin, and guard Sienna Clark, all who graduated last spring.
The Lady Wildcats open the regular season with an extended road trip, first, to Jefferson City Helias Catholic on Nov. 26, the Fair Grove Invitational Tournament (Dec. 2-6) and Ava (Dec. 9).
“Our schedule is always difficult,” Watts said. “We have joined the Ozark Mountain Conference and the teams in it are rich in girls’ basketball tradition. I think it will be one of the strongest girls’ leagues in southwest Missouri this season.”
