By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Hartville girls basketball enjoyed another winning season last year in head coach Kailey Keith’s first season at the helm.
The Eagles posted a 16-10 record, falling to Bakersfield in the district semifinal round.
As Keith prepares for her sophomore season, she will look to continue building on that success.
“We are reviving our program from top to bottom and building it up for years to come,” Keith said. “This year’s team will be led by Kinley Cryer, Maddie Brown and Sarah Palmer, but I look for the newcomers to step up and make big contributions.”
Cryer, a 5-foot-7 all-conference and all-district sophomore, finished with 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game last season.
“Kinley is a lefty guard that will be looked at to play a lot of varsity minutes this season,” Keith said. “She is a returning starter and was our second leading scorer last year. She is quick with the ball and can guard the other team’s best player most nights. She will be our leader this year on and off the court, and I am excited to have Kinley for three more years.”
Brown, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, recorded 6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest last season.
“Maddie is another sophomore who will play a lot of varsity minutes,” Keither said. “She is a lengthy guard who can shoot the three. She is getting stronger in the weight room, and I am excited to see how growth from year one to year two. Maddie will step up and lead us inside most nights.”
Palmer, a 5-foot-8 sophomore, averaged 1.9 points and 2.3 rebounds as a freshman.
“Sarah is another sophomore that will see varsity minutes,” Keith said. “She is strong and attacks the rim well. She started for us for half the season last year and will look to increase her role this season. She has put the work in the weight room, and I am excited to see her hard work pay off. Sarah is strong and will guard the other team’s best post player most nights.”
5-foot-5 sophomore Carlyn Cantrell also returns for the Eagles.
“Carlyn will continue to work on her game and will look to break through and see some varsity time as a sophomore,” Keith said. “She can shoot the ball well and plays hard on defense.”
Keith also expects a host of varsity newcomers to step in and compete for varsity minutes, including freshman Beyah Widner, freshman Jayde Ghormley, senior Katia Todd, junior Brielle Kline, freshman Saige Petty, senior Allison Brengle and senior Shaylee Calton.
“We have a young, inexperienced team, with 7 of our 11 being newcomers,” Keith said. “This season’s team will continue to set the expectations and be the example for years to come. I am excited for the opportunity to be their coach and be at this school, where the tradition of pride and excellence is the standard.”
Hartville will open its season Dec. 2 in the Fordland Invitational Tournament.
