By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the Diamond girls basketball program.
Collecting just seven wins from 2018-2020, the Wildcats have followed that up by going a combined 60-23 over the last three years. That stretch is highlighted by a 22-6 campaign in 2023 en route to the program’s first district title in 37 years.
Here’s what is noteworthy: Diamond returns all of its roster from last winter.
“The turnaround is not about me and what I have done as a coach but the players that have come through the program buying in on what we are about as a team and program,” head coach Marty Atnip said. “I’m excited about this team’s opportunity this upcoming season to build on what we have done the last three years as a basketball program. I’m fortunate to have a wonderful assistant coach and great players.
“With everyone back, we have high aspirations of making a deep playoff run this year. I believe our depth will be better this year overall. We are hoping the experience we have along with good size and quickness across the board will help us against any team we face.”
The Wildcats will be led this season by all-state standout and Missouri Southern commit Grace Frazier.
Frazier, a 5-foot-3 senior and Southwest Conference Player of the Year, averaged 24.1 points, 4.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 steals last season.
“Grace is the type of player that helps raise her teammates’ game,” Atnip said. “She puts others in a great position to score.”
Five-foot-eight junior Lauren Turner, an all-conference honoree, also returns to help lead Diamond after averaging 14.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.2 assists in 2023.
“Lauren is such a versatile player that can guard any position on the floor defensively,” Atnip said. “She is a stat filler on both ends of the court.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF THE WINTER PREVIEWS
Adding to the firepower is 5-8 junior Kabrie Parmley (6.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 spg), 5-11 senior Makaylynn Lafferty (5.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.1 spg) and 5-4 senior Caitlyn Suhrie (4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.6 spg).
These three players complete the Wildcats starting lineup.
Diamond has a wealth of sophomores looking to compete for playing time and provide valuable minutes off the bench. The group includes 5-7 Marissa DeJager, 5-2 Jaylinn Starbuck, 5-10 Aubrey Ball, 5-2 Aspen Daniel and 5-2 Addison Beckett.
The Wildcats top newcomer is Makaylynn Lafferty’s younger sister, Miley. The 5-6 sophomore was sidelined all of last year due to an injury.
“Miley has a good feel for the game,” Atnip said. “She has a knack for getting offensive rebounds and putbacks. She is a solid defender who can play multiple positions on the court.”
Atnip said his group will play a high-energy brand of basketball.
“We love to put lots of pressure on the ball and have a lot of versatility across the board, which allows us to create matchup problems for the other team,” Atnip said. “On offense we plan on using an up-tempo style to create easy baskets from our defense and pushing it for transition buckets.”
Simply put, the Wildcats’ expectations are high for this season.
“If we can stay healthy, we feel we are a force to be reckoned with come postseason,” Atnip said.
Diamond will jamboree with Jasper, Northeast Vernon County and Bronaugh at home on Nov. 10. The Wildcats host Marion C. Early on Nov. 20 in their season opener.
