By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Matt Powell’s first season as Glendale Lady Falcons’ head coach raised the bar of the program in a major way.
The Lady Falcons won as many games by the end of the Pink and White Lady Classic (December 2022) as they had the two seasons prior combined (nine). And by season’s end, Glendale won more games than the 2023 senior class won in its career.
The Lady Falcons finished 20-7 overall and 7-3 in the Ozark Conference last season to tie for third. Prior to the 2022-2023 season, the Class of 2023 finished 15-56.
“We had a great season last year,” said Powell, who enters his second season at Glendale. “We were able to use our length and athleticism to our benefit on both ends of the floor and had a group of seniors that were very hungry to win. There was minimal pushback when we as a staff demanded things be done a certain way. Winning early in the season was a huge step in learning how to win and understanding time and score.”
Two key pieces to that run included returnees senior Avery Givens and sophomore Mattie Zingg.
“Our group this year understands the amount of work that has to be put in to be successful,” Powell said. “They also got to see that even a great season has challenges. Basketball is a long season and there are a ton of great teams in (southwest Missouri).”
Avery Givens, senior forward – Averaged 10. 3 points per game, 10.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals; could reach 600 career rebounds; named to the OC All-Defensive Team. “Avery averaged a double-double last year as a junior,” Powell said. “She will get more attention from other teams this year. However, the time she has put in since the end of last year will allow her to have another fantastic season.”
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Mattie Zingg, sophomore forward – Averaged 10.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.8 apg and 2.3 spg. “Mattie has taken a giant step forward from a really good freshman season last year. She will have a lot on her shoulders this year from scoring to distributing and guarding. She is more than capable of doing those things.”
And with the loss of five letterwinners, including three starters, Powell will be looking to several newcomers to help fill those shoes.
Maya Morse, junior guard/forward – “Maya is a very good defender and rebounder with a high motor,” Powell said. “She will guard the other team’s best player a lot.”
Megan Wade, junior guard – “(Megan is) capable of scoring in bunches and has gotten much more athletic over the summer, which will help us on the defensive end.”
Raegan Randall, junior forward – “(Raegan is) a strong and good rebounder.”
Audrey Duvall, junior forward – “Long and athletic, a good defensive player and shot blocker; runs the floor well in transition.”
Amia Burke-Marr, junior guard – “Can make the 3 and brings a lot of energy to the floor and team.”
Analiese Horberg, sophomore forward – “(Analiese is) a hard worker and coachable.”
Kensie Miner, freshman guard – “Handles the ball and sees the floor well, can make the 3.”
Peyton Lindstrom, freshman guard – “High motor, very aggressive; makes things happen when she’s on the floor.”
Ari Warren, freshman guard – “High motor, very aggressive; makes things happen when she’s on the floor.”
“All three freshmen will play, but we need them to grow up fast and adjust to the speed and physicality of varsity basketball,” Powell said. “We had a good summer and fall. We have more kids playing outside of season than we have in a while. I think the girls are excited to get started. We have a lot of spots open since we graduated five from last year.
“We will have the ability to put a lot of different kids out on the floor in a varsity game. With that being said, not all will get the chance. This will make practices extremely competitive.”
Gone from last year’s turnaround team include Reilly Heman, Rachel Flewell, Skylar Bencsek, Meegan Randall and Taija Jones.
Heman was an all-district and all-conference honorable mention selection, who is now playing soccer at Missouri State University. Flewell earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors; Bencsek is playing basketball at McPherson College; and Randall is playing soccer and softball at Olivet Nazarene University.
“This group had such a positive impact on the program,” Powell said. “They worked so hard last year and accomplished many things that hadn’t been done in 10-plus years of Lady Falcon Basketball. Our current team saw what they did by example and look forward to continuing those details to make us successful.”
The Lady Falcons will participate in a jamboree at Nixa with the host school and Sparta before opening their season on the road against Catholic on Nov. 17.
“I love how many of our kids are excited about this season and the future,” Powell said. “We put an emphasis on showing up last year and it’s continually gotten better. They want to be here.
“Our expectations will be to compete every night,” Powell said. “Avery and Mattie have done a good job in their new leadership roles and they want to win. We are young but still want to get better and move forward from last season.”
