By Chris Parker
New Covenant girls basketball enters its second season under head coach Tom Stagner looking to improve on last season’s 7-19 record.
“Growth will be the difference this year from last year,” Stagner said. “Growth as a program, with the players, and coaching. Coaches and players are more aware of expectations and improvements that need to be made. Now that we are more experienced, we will be more comfortable and confident with this upcoming season.”
That growth will be taking place in a new conference, as New Covenant moves from the Mark Twain Conference to the Greater Ozarks Conference.
“The Mark Twain Conference was a great conference with respectable teams and coaches,” Stagner said. “Playing against the teams in the MTC will be missed, but at the same time, it is exciting to be a part of a new conference and competing against new conference opponents. I believe the school, players, and fans are excited for this opportunity as well.”
On the court, Audrey Cannefax returns for her senior season after averaging a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds per game last season.
“Audrey Cannefax is a senior forward that can score at all levels on the floor,” Stagner said. “Audrey brings with her a competitive mindset and a hard-working attitude. She is a leader on both the defensive and offensive sides of the basketball court.”
Fellow senior Sarah Garner will look to grow her averages of three points and three rebounds per game as a junior.
“Sarah Garner is a senior forward who has improved each year,” Stagner said. “She brings a great attitude and strength to the team. Sarah has improved in areas that I believe will be key to our success as a team. She is going to have a great year on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.”
Junior Ella Armour was strong defensively with two steals per game last season to go with two points, two rebounds and an assist per game.
“Ella Armour is a junior that brings a lot of experience at the varsity level,” Stagner said. “We have seen growth with her as a leader and a player. Her leadership will be important for the team throughout the season. I believe she will have a really good year and will be the glue for the team.”
Underclassmen will be key to the team as well.
“We have number of underclassmen that will play a big role for the team due to the varsity experience they were able to gain last season,” Stagner said. “These girls compete each and every practice on both ends of the floor. With this experience, it will provide more depth and consistency during games.”
Freshmen Jessie Braddock, Addisyn Gleason and Addy Mourey along with junior Kinsley Vandewege will be newcomers.
“I believe the biggest strength for this year is the trust in each other that we gained last season and throughout the summer,” Stagner said. “I saw a lot of encouragement and support for each other. If they keep the same mentality and strive for the goals we have as a team, it will make us very competitive this season.”
Stagner will look for an improved defense and the ability to bounce back quickly from mistakes from his team.
“I believe defense and a mindset of “next play” will be the key factors on a successful season,” Stagner said. “We gave up too many points last year and allowed the mistakes we made to affect the rest of our performance. If we can improve on both areas, it will make a big difference on how we approach each game and show impact on both ends of the court.”
New Covenant travels to Verona for a jamboree on Nov. 18. The Lady Warriors open the regular season on Nov. 22 at Sarcoxie.
“For a successful season, I believe growth as players and how they respond to situations that occur on the court will be key factors,” Stagner said. “As a coach, you want your players to be better all-around from when they started the season. At this age, if they can learn how to respond correctly and not to overreact while playing the game of basketball, it will carry out throughout life when their days of playing basketball are over.”
