By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2023-24 was a season of challenges for the Joplin girls basketball program.
The Eagles finished with a record of 5-22, falling to Lee’s Summit North in the district tournament.
Heading into his third season at the helm, head coach Brad Cox is pleased with his team’s progress, as he works to slowly rebuild the culture and foundation of a program seeking its first winning season in over a decade.
“We went from averaging giving up 65 points a game two years ago to giving up 50 points a game last year,” Cox said. “Our defense has improved a lot, and we are looking to continue to build on our defense but also get our offense to step up and support our defense. We had a lot of young players that played varsity last year, and we will be more experienced this season.”
Junior Alissa Owens returns as Joplin’s leading scorer.
The 6-foot guard averaged 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal last season.
“Alissa is a very special player,” Cox said. “She is very long and athletic and will be one of our top scores. Alissa is looking to take a leadership role within our program this year.”
Owens will be joined in the lineup by Riley Kelly and Aiyana Kroll, who also step into prominent leadership roles this season.
Kelly, a 5-foot-9 senior guard, averaged 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal as a junior, despite having the season cut short due to injury.
“Riley has been a varsity player since her freshman year and we hope for her to have a great senior season,” Cox said. “With Riley having the most experience, we look for her to be our leader on the court.”
Kroll, a 6-foot-1 senior post, recorded 6 points and 2 steals per contest last season.
“Aiyana will be a big piece to our team’s success this year,” Cox said. “She is an athletic and physical post that can stretch the floor and finishes great around the rim.”
Solei Parker rounds out Joplin’s key returning corps.
The 5-foot-6 junior guard averaged 4 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal as a sophomore.
“Solei has improved and has worked very hard in the offseason,” Cox said. “We will look for her to be one of our floor generals this year and to help run the point. Being one of our floor generals she will need to show her leadership to our team.”
Kelly Kumbier, Izzy Cruse, Ava Wolf and Ra’Niya Tripplet also return for the Eagles and will look to move into more prominent roles for the team.
Kumbier is a 5-foot-6 senior guard capable of scoring at all three levels.
“Kelly is our toughest player we have on our team,” Cox said. “She is a lockdown physical defender, and she can also slash to the basket and knock down the 3.”
Cruse, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, is one of the team’s primary defenders.
“Izzy is a very talented player with varsity experience,” Cox said. “She is a good defender and has developed and worked on her finishing and shot in the offseason.”
Wolf, a 5-foot-10 junior post, is capable of playing multiple spots on the floor.
“Ava is an all-around athlete and is very smart,” Cox said. “On varsity last year she had to play guard and post. She is a hard worker and a very skilled passer. We are looking for her to have a great junior season on varsity this year.”
Tripplet, a 5-foot-10 junior post, returns to the squad after missing her sophomore season. Cox expects her to make an immediate boost to the roster.
“Ra’Niya missed last season due to injury but played varsity as a freshman,” Cox said. “She is a physical post that can rebound, finish and defend. She will have a positive impact on our team this year.”
Cox also expects a quintet of sophomores to compete for varsity minutes in Symphanie Walker, Kyrie Britton, Taylor Love, Lilia Soderstrom and Ella Kroll.
With continued development throughout the roster, Cox believes the team’s slow and steady approach has it ready to take the next step on the way to a first winning season in years.
“Our expectation for our season is to continue to build our program and stay on course,” Cox said. “We would like to have the first winning season in decades at Joplin, and I believe we have the pieces in place to achieve those goals. For us to reach our goals we will need to raise our shooting percentage and lower our turnover percentage.”
Following a Nov. 19 home jamboree with Parkview, Hillcrest and Sarcoxie, Joplin will open its season Dec. 6 at Pittsburg, Kans.
