By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Greenwood Lady Bluejays will look to build upon the improvement gained in 2023-2024 as they prepare for the 2024-2025 season.
The Lady Bluejays, who finished 10-16 last year after going 8-15 the season before, fell in the first round of the Class 2 District 11 Tournament to Spokane, 56-45. They will field a young roster again this season that includes juniors Elif Benzer, Harper Pinkston, Samantha Schneider and Shriya Miller.
Mike Percival, who enters his eighth season at Greenwood, is eager to improve on last season’s results, though low numbers will be a challenge for his squad.
“We are excited to see where we can go this season,” said Percival, who is approaching 488 wins in his 37-year career. “We will be a group without seniors and are hoping that the returning players who have had a couple of years of experience at the varsity level will be able to provide us with improved numbers as the incoming players get up to speed.
“We had a solid summer and, hopefully, that will transfer into the season.”
Elif Benzer, 5-foot-7 junior – Averaged 16.9 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, 26 games played; earned Class 2 All-District 11 honors; leading scorer and rebounder in 2023-2024; closing in on 1,000 career points. Percival said Benzer “works hard on both ends of the floor.”
Gia Lutomske, 5-8 sophomore post – Averaged 3.1 ppg, 5 rpg, .6 apg, .6 spg, 25 games played. “Can step outside at times; improving defensively.”
Harper Pinkston, 5-9 junior – Averaged 3.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, .8 apg, .8 spg; 25 games played. “Plays inside and outside, depending on the situation.”
Samantha Schneider, 5-4 junior guard – Averaged 2.6 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1 spg, 25 games played. “Works hard on the defensive end and is improving offensively.”
Emma Daugherty, 5-2 sophomore guard – Averaged 1.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, .8 apg, .4 spg, 26 games played. “A perimeter player and shooter; improving defensively.”
Josie Matkowski, 5-10 sophomore post – Averaged .3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, .1 spg, 24 games played. “Improving offensively and defensively.”
Shriya Miller, 5-3 junior guard – Averaged .5 rpg, .2 apg, 14 games played. “Works hard on the defensive end of the floor.”
Percival says that Avneet Kauer, a 5-8 freshman post player, and Alyssa Newman, a freshman guard and transfer from The Summit, could make an impact this season.
The Lady Bluejays did lose four key players from last season, including all-district first-team guard, Camryn Parker, who graduated last spring.
“We lost four years of experience, a ball handler and offensive facilitator,” Percival said of Parker.
Also gone this year are graduated forwards Samara Lee and Abigail Schultz, as well as junior post, Hannah Richards, who will miss the season because of a knee injury.
Percival said his team’s strength this season is experience.
“We’re returning a lot of experience from underclassmen last season,” Percival said. “(We have) great kids who work hard.”
Greenwood opens the regular season in the Fair Play Tournament on Nov. 25-27 and rolls into the 11th Annual Fordland Tournament the following week (Dec. 2-7).
