By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Aurora girls basketball enjoyed another successful campaign during the 2023-24 school year.
The Houn Dawgs posted a 25-6 record and captured a second-straight district championship before falling in the Class 4 state quarterfinal round.
Heading into his third year at the helm, head coach Jason Cole is quickly putting his own stamp on the program with back-to-back 20-win seasons.
“We finished 25-6 last season, which was a new school record for wins,” Cole said. “We were able to reach the state quarterfinals for the third time in school history but suffered a tough loss to Owensville (38-35).”
Cole and the Houns have plenty of reason to be optimistic this season, as Aurora returns its entire roster, including all-state honoree Kylee Cole.
The 5-foot-7 senior averaged 20.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game as a junior.
“Kylee has worked throughout the off-season to be able to score at all three levels,” Coach Cole said. “Kylee is, without a doubt, the strongest shooter I have ever coached, but she understands the importance of being able to score at all three levels and continue to improve at the defensive end.”
Classmates Makena Hall, Jaelyn Ernest, Alyssa Burch and Nadia Davis also return for the Houns.
Hall, a 5-foot-4 all-conference and all-district selection, finished with 10.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.8 steals per contest last season
“Makena takes great pride in her defense and it shows in being a three-time Big 8 East all-defensive team member,” Coach Cole said. “She improved at the offensive end throughout the year while running the point for us as well.”
Ernest, a 5-foot-10 all-district honoree, averaged 5.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals last season.
“Jaelyn creates a lot of havoc on defense with her length and deflections,” Coach Cole said. “She has continued to work on her offensive game and has a high ceiling as she gains the same confidence in herself that I have in her.”
Burch, a 5-foot-8 all district selection, recorded 4.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game as a junior.
“Alyssa runs the floor exceptionally well and has worked on her game with her back to the basket,” Coach Cole said. “Alyssa is a very capable shooter who can stretch defenses on the perimeter.”
Davis, a 5-foot-5 guard, posted 3.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game last season.
“Nadia has a contagious personality that people love to be around,” Coach Cole said. “She also buys into whatever is best for the team. Nadia has a nose for the ball which makes her a great rebounder. She is one of our better defenders, as well.”
Juniors Jaysa Ernest (4.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 spg) and Brooke Blevins (3.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.8 spg) return after making key contributions to the lineup last season.
“Jaysa is a streaky shooter who has been working to build more consistency in her shot this off-season,” Coach Cole said. “We will look for Jaysa to contribute at a higher level this year.
“Brooke was our most improved player last year at both ends of the floor. She has worked on her offensive game throughout the fall to compete for higher minutes even more at both ends of the floor.”
A trio of sophomores round out Aurora’s returning corps in Kylee Phelps, Miley Feringa and Lilah Cutbirth.
Coach Cole expects freshman Lyla Seitz to step in and compete for varsity minutes this season.
“My philosophy as a coach is simple; design our offensive and defensive strategies to meet the abilities of our personnel,” Coach Cole said. “My system continually changes based on our personnel and their strengths and weaknesses. Our defense will continue to be a focal point for us.
“We have a strong core of upperclassmen returning who we will lean heavily upon throughout the season. We will also need our sophomore class to grow in their development and contribute at a higher level.”
With a full returning roster, Aurora will be able to quickly capitalize on its overall team speed and chemistry this season; however, challenges will need to be overcome in order to pursue a first-ever final four berth, according to Coach Cole.
“The biggest challenge that I see for us this season will be how we approach our work each day,” Coach Cole said. “If we are able to come in motivated with the goal of improving everyday we have a legitimate opportunity to continue to play late in the year. If we allow ourselves to veer off that course we will won’t be prepared when it matters. As a coaching staff it is our responsibility to do everything we can to make sure we put in the body of work required to be successful.”
Following a Nov. 19 jamboree at Webb City with Neosho, Carl Junction and the host school, Aurora will open its season Dec. 2 in the Fair Grove Invitational Tournament.
