By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Willard Lady Tigers invested in a youth movement last season.
A year later, the Lady Tigers are eager to see if the dividends begin to appear.
There’s reason to believe so: The Lady Tigers have experience and cohesiveness on their side as they enter the 2024-25 season.
“Our chemistry has really improved with one another and the girls are ready to take that next step. We hope to continue to push the pace offensively and clean up the turnovers that plagued us last year,” said Willard coach Luke Floyd. “We have adjusted our defense and believe that will help decrease our opponents’ scoring as well as lead to some transition opportunities for us.”
Willard welcomes back nearly its entire team from last season.
The Lady Tigers will field a junior-heavy lineup, led by point guard Elise Murray.
Murray, a starter since her freshman year, was named second team all-conference last season as a sophomore. She averaged just shy of 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and 3.5 steals per game.
Murray impacts the game on both ends of the floor, Floyd said, and should be considered among the top guards in the area.
“Elise continues to get better and better each year,” he said. “She is an elite defender that uses her speed and quickness to create havoc. Offensively, not only does Elise do a great job of running our team, but she leads us in scoring as well.”
Harper Floyd is a 6-foot forward and returning starter. Floyd averaged 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season. She’s expected to be a key on-court leader as well.
“She’s a versatile forward who can play inside or out on either end,” Coach Floyd said. “This offseason, she also became a more vocal leader for us.”
On the wing, starter Maddie Polites (4.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg) is a capable scorer and high-energy player.
“She has a high motor, can guard well and is very versatile on offense,” Coach Floyd said.
Sophomore Kennidy Keller had a strong debut last season, posting 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a rookie.
“She was thrown into the fire as a freshman and really improved as the season progressed,” Coach Floyd said. “Kennidy had a great offseason and we are expecting big things out of her this year.”
Cassidy Miller and Hadley McNatt round out Willard’s five-player junior class.
Miller (5’10”) provides size and scoring, while McNatt is a combo guard who can be a perimeter threat.
“Cassidy has great shooting range and worked hard on her game in the offseason to become a better, all-around player,” Floyd said. “Hadley is a hard worker on both ends of the floor. She can stretch the floor offensively with her shooting.”
Sophomores Sydney West and Khloe Jones each started a handful of games as freshmen.
West is known for her defense and toughness. Jones displayed a high skill level as a freshman and is a capable defender.
“Sydney can guard all positions and play both inside or out on offense,” Coach Floyd said. “Chloe is a skilled offensive player with good floor vision. Defensively, she’s a pesky defender with good instincts.”
Willard finished 8-18 overall last season with a lineup of mostly sophomores and freshmen.
With almost the full varsity lineup returning to the court this season, the Lady Tigers are aiming for the program’s first winning season since the 2020-21 campaign that culminated in a district championship.
“We were extremely young last season, so the experience gained should play huge dividends this season,” Coach Floyd said.
Willard’s lone graduate was post player Scarlett Floyd, who was a two-time selection for the COC’s All-Defensive Team.
“She anchored our defense and excelled at doing the little things that don’t always show up in stats,” Coach Floyd said. “We will miss her toughness and selflessness.”
Willard’s postseason aspirations could get an extra boost if the Lady Tigers drop down to the Class 5 level this season.
“We are curious to see if we will remain in Class 6 or drop back to Class 5 this year. Either way, we feel like our schedule will have us prepared for the postseason,” Coach Floyd said.
Willard opens the regular season Nov. 23 at the Bluefish Shootout in Rolla. The Lady Tigers will then host the Willard Classic Dec. 4-7.
