Thayer girls basketball returns all but one player from last year’s 14-win team
By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Thayer Lady Bobcats faced some tough competition last season, including Class 6 Kickapoo and Class 4 champion Ava, with a new coach at the helm. They ended the year with a 14-13 record in the first round of district play vs. MVBT-Liberty.
Denny Young enters his fourth year coaching and his second at Thayer and looks to continue the Lady Bobcats’ traditional style of physical play and strong defense.
“We are also very fortunate to have Charlie Ballard join our staff as an assistant coach,” said Young. “Coach Ballard was the head coach at Koshkonong for 11 years and he brings a lot to the table to offer this group of girls and myself. He is a great coach and person and we are excited to have him working in our program.”
The team graduated Callie Johnson, a threat from behind the arc and force in the paint.
“I’m excited for people to see the difference in this group from last season,” said Young. “We will miss what Callie Johnson brought to this team last year but return everyone else from last year’s roster and add a great group of freshmen. We had a busy summer this year and these girls are determined to right the ship. Their work ethic as a group and individually in the off-season is undeniable.”
Senior Maddie Donahue (5’9”) is the team’s primary scorer, averaging 12 points and 6 rebounds in her 21 games started and earning first team all-SCA honors last season.
“The three-year starter had some huge games for us last year with a couple 20-point nights and double-digit rebounds that kept us in a lot of games,” said Young. “She had a great summer and has worked hard in the offseason to improve her inside-out game.”
Donahue is a threat both in the paint and behind the arc.
“Her leadership on and off the court will help us be a real contender in the SCA and district this year,” added Young. “I look for big things from her this year.”
Senior guard Katie Pounders has physical toughness and the ability to get to the rim and score from the outside. She served as sixth man most of last year and pushed for a lot of time the second half of the season.
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“She has worked hard this summer to improve her skill set and I look for her to knock down some big shots for us this year,” said Young.
Haylie Larsen, senior, was new to the program last year.
“Haylie has defined her role on this team and has impressed me throughout the summer,” said Young. “Her ability to see the court, get to the rim, and improved shooting will be a huge asset to this team. Her work ethic has been amazing and I look for big things out of her this year.”
Haylie averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds per game in her junior season.
Abby Bowers, a 5’10” guard, can handle the basketball and score and earned an All-SCA honorable mention as a starter in her freshman season.
“She’s not your typical high school point guard but has taken on this role and improved each game last year and throughout the summer,” said Coach Young.
Young said Bowers creates problems for opposing defenses, has a knack for the ball, and is skilled in finding teammates in the open floor.
“Defensively, she can be really good with her athleticism and height,” he said. “I look for her to catapult us to a different level this year on both ends of the court.”
Hadley Meyer, a 5’11” forward, was one of the two freshmen that started last year. “Physically, she can play with anyone,” said Young. “She can be a force in the paint. Her upside is tremendous and with a varsity year under her belt, I look for her to get better each game. She is a match-up problem for a lot of teams due to her physicality and skill set around the rim.”
Riley Pierce, sophomore guard, came off the bench last year and contributed solid minutes. Pierce will compete for playing time after working to improve shooting and ball handling ability throughout the summer.
“She will play some big minutes for us running the point,” said Young.
Savannah Wheeler, 6’0”, “Is a physical player that fits perfectly in our system, guarding the rim and contesting in the paint,” said Young.
New faces include Joslyn Tucker, a 5’9” junior who is a skilled athlete and a difference-maker. “She shoots the ball very well and has a great knack for the ball,” said Young. “She can be very versatile for us and will make us more athletic and deeper. She is a game-changer and takes us to a new level with her skill set, competitiveness, and work ethic.”
Shaylee Tucker, 5’6” sophomore, is a strong addition to the group of guards. “She is a great competitor that sees the floor well and can shoot the 3,” said Young.
She is recovering from a torn ACL, but should add depth to the lineup by season’s end if cleared by December.
Kayden Hillis, 5’6”, is a left-handed athlete that will push for varsity minutes.
“She is quick and does a great job of getting to the rim and allowing us to be really good defensively when she is on the floor,” said Young. “She, along with a very talented group of freshmen, will push the upper classmen every day in practice and on game nights for playing time.”
Shaylee Peterson, a 5’10” freshman, is a forward that had a great summer with JV and varsity per her coach and looks to get some big minutes of varsity action this year.
“She is a strong, physical player with good hands and feet around the rim,” said Young. “Her skill set isn’t just good around the rim, she can also step back and shoot the three as well.”
Other freshmen who will contribute are Avery Bowers, a 6’0” post player; Ally Kerley, a 5’9” guard; Kaylie Mier, guard; Miley Johnston, forward; Hailey Gorham, guard; and Jacelyn Donahue, forward.
The team is not short on family ties; Shaylee and Joslyn Tucker are cousins, as are Abby and Avery Bowers. Maddie and Jacelyn Donahue are sisters.
“This group has athleticism, height, and the work ethic it takes to be really good this year,” said Coach Young. “The determining factor for us will be buying into what we have to do defensively and proving it night in and night out. Our goal is to show up every day, to continue to get better, and to give ourselves a chance to compete for a district title.”
The Lady Bobcats will participate in the Doniphan Jamboree November 15 vs. Doniphan, West Plains, and Oran. They host Bakersfield December 5 to open their season.
