By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Licking enjoyed a third-straight 20-win season in 2023-24.
The Wildcats finished with a 20-7 record, falling to MV/BT Liberty in the district final.
“We will play controlled, slower tempo basketball on offense and attempt to take away our opponents best weapons on defense,” Licking head coach Steve Rissler said. “We have a group of four seniors that have all played a lot of varsity basketball.”
Those seniors include 5-foot-8 wing Allie Hock (15 ppg, 5 rpg) – a great slasher with the ball, 5-foot-6 wing Kinley Keaton – a 3-point shooter, 5-foot-5 guard Linzie Wallace – a blue-collar worker and 5-foot-8 guard Zoey Dawson – an inside-outside combo player.
6-foot-1 sophomore post Morgan Stone also returns, characterized as an old-school true post by Rissler.
Licking will also look to a trio of varsity newcomers to step in and provide backcourt depth in 5-foot-5 Hadlee Davis – a quick guard with an outside shot and ability to finish at full speed, 5-foot-4 Kylee Rinne – a 3-point threat and 5-foot-4 Keely Gorman – a mid-range threat with good defensive instincts.
“We have a deep senior class that has lettered every year in high school, and we expect to compete for Frisco and district championships,” Rissler said. “We will need to establish a better rebounding routine, as we struggled on the glass last year at times due to lack of size. Our team speed isn’t great either. Super-quick guards give us fits also. We have to use positioning and effort to eliminate our opponent’s penetration.”
For Licking to continue building on its recent success, Rissler believes it must showcase a mastery of fundamentals and execution this season.
“We know who we are as a team,” Rissler said. “The girls understand we aren’t the most athletic group but we make up for it with fundamentals and execution. We are counting on several junior varsity players and a freshman to contribute at the varsity level from day one. If those girls do what they are capable of, we could have a nice season.”
Following a Nov. 15 jamboree at Rolla with Waynesville and the host school, Licking will open its season at home Nov. 23 in the Bunker Shootout.
