By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Branson Lady Pirates coach Kip Bough is very excited about his 2023-2024 squad.
And by returning five starters and nine letterwinners who played a strong schedule last season, the Lady Pirates are primed for a successful season.
“This has been a solid group of girls for Branson over the years and even though we are super excited about the possibilities of this year, we are a little sad that this is their senior season,” said head coach Kip Bough, who enters his 17th season at Branson, amassing a 257-176 career record.
“We feel that last year wasn’t what we hoped it would be. Even though we won 13 games, we were expecting more and thought we would be more competitive in some of our losses. We did play one of the toughest schedules we have had with several losses coming to teams (with 18-20 or more wins) and several Division-I players. I feel like we should have been better and that starts with me as coach.
“Last year, we scored as well as any team I have coached but we lacked on the defensive end. Our intensity has to be better on that end of the court because we have several kids who can score it. We have always been a defense-first program. Regardless of the style of defense we played, if we recommit ourselves to getting stops, we could be really tough.”
The Lady Pirates finished 13-14 overall, 3-6 in the Central Ozark Conference and return all five starters.
Taylor Foster, 6-foot senior post – Averaged 13.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game; Class 5 All-District 6 and All-COC second-team selection. “Taylor is receiving college interest,” Bough said. “She is a long, athletic player who can step away from the basket. We are expecting big things from her again this year. Taylor can be a matchup nightmare with her height and her ability to step away from the basket and penetrate. The type of game she plays may be game-to-game, whether she will step out and face the basket or play with her back to the bucket. If she can adjust game to game, she will have a really good year.”
Maci Rogers, 5-8 senior guard – Averaged 8.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.1 spg. “Macy has seen varsity minutes since she was a freshman. She has a calm about her but also a leadership quality to her as well. Macy is our best 3-point shooter and I have seen her over the years make some big 3s for the team. If she is on, she can hit 4-5 3s in a game. She stretches the defense with her outside shooting.”
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Rylie Hagston, 5-8 senior – Averaged 7.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.4 spg. “Rylie is very capable of averaging double figures as a scorer and is one of our better rebounders on the team. She is good when she is slashing and attacking the basket, but an ankle injury limited her at the end of last season in that capacity. Rylie has the ability to shoot the 3 as well. She will be called upon to do just about anything we need throughout the season.”
Ellison Mehrhoff, 5-9 senior – Averaged 11.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.3 spg; all-conference honorable mention; verbally committed to play basketball in college. “Ellie came to us last year and has been such a wonderful addition to us. She is consistent and we can count on her every game, every night. She guards, rebounds, executes and scores. We will be asking her to become more aggressive on the offensive end. She has put in the work this offseason, in the gym and the weight room, and has earned the right to be more aggressive. I really believe that we will see big things from Ellie this year.”
Jocelyn McQueen, 5-5 junior guard – Averaged 4.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.6 spg; COC All-Defensive Team selection. “Jocelyn became a starter in the last half of the year last year. Jocelyn sees the floor about as well as any player I have had the chance to coach. She had a 1-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio last year and the reason for some of her turnovers was also her greatest strength and that is her vision. I wouldn’t be surprised to see that stat improve this year for Jocelyn. As good of a passer as she is, Jocelyn may be a better defender.”
In addition to returning all five starters, Bough also has the luxury of nine letterwinners looking to make more of an impact this season.
Sirena Carlson, 5-6 senior – “Sirena started a few games last year for us at the varsity level,” Bough said. “She is a very athletic kid who has a lot of toughness and grit to her. She will see several minutes at the varsity level again this year.”
Avery Crouse, 5-5 senior – “Avery sat the bench for the varsity team, but because we were so young, she was playing a majority of her minutes at the younger levels. She is a consistent player and can play multiple positions. She is another kid who just plays really well with a team. She knows her role and does a really good job of playing that role.”
Abby Deckard, 5-5 senior – “Abby played JV last year and really improved as the year went along. She is a defensive hound who gives you multiple efforts and is a great teammate.”
Katelyn Good, 5-6 senior – “Katelyn has had to overcome some illnesses and injuries over her high school career, continues to give her best and is a tremendous teammate.”
Kylynn Hall, 5-10 senior – “Kylynn is a tall senior who may see some varsity time because of her length.”
Aubree Williams, 5-8 junior – “Aubree was a varsity letterman last year and had a tremendous season for us. Very athletic and long; attacks the basket and plays hard on both ends of the floor.”
Kaedyn Pierce, 5-7 junior – “Kaedyn is very athletic. She can run like a deer. She is long and jumps well. Kaedyn had a busy summer and could contribute on the varsity level.”
Emma Skoglund, 5-10 sophomore – “Emma is a long athletic middle for us. She will play mostly JV but could see some time at the varsity level because of her athleticism.”
Angel Craig, 5-5 freshman – “Angel may be the best ballhandler in the program. She may see some time because of her handles and game savviness.”
The Lady Pirates graduated forward Quinn Swofford, who returned for her senior season after suffering a torn ACL before her sophomore year.
“Quinn gave us a spark and toughness off the bench last year and was able to contribute in significant ways, especially defensively versus bigger players and on the boards,” Bough said.
Branson opens the regular season on the road at Springfield Central on Nov. 20, and will then host the Battle at the Border tournament on Nov. 30-Dec. 2.
“Our biggest games are usually the conference schools, like Republic, Ozark, Nixa and Willard,” Bough said. “District opponents are important and tournaments like the Pink and White are always big games for us.
“We still have the same tough conference schedule and, more than likely, similar opponents in districts. Our Battle at the Border tournament is filled with some big-time teams, such as Olathe North, Olathe South, Lake Hamilton (Ark.), MICDS out of St. Louis and Waynesville.”
In addition, the Lady Pirates will compete in the Lady Freeman Tournament in Joplin and the Logan-Rogersville Lady Cat tournament.
“We will have to be on top of our game, which I believe we can be every night,” Bough said. “I really believe we will have a great year.”
