By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Neosho girls basketball struggled a bit in head coach Tyler Chaney’s inaugural season at the helm.
“We went 6-21 last season with only a couple players with previous varsity experience,” Chaney said. “We came in looking to compete in all games and we were able to achieve that for the most part. One thing we were able to do was get a lot of game experience across the board for varsity and junior varsity teams.”
With only a single graduation loss, Chaney and the Wildcats have reason for optimism headed into his sophomore campaign.
Leading scorer Beclynn Garrett returns to lead the Neosho attack this season.
Garrett, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals as a junior.
Chaney on Garrett – “Key rebounder/scorer/leadership – looking for [Garrett] to have a big senior season.”
She will be joined by a talented trio of returning juniors Jazmyn Washington, Hayleigh Smith and Quinlyn Depoe.
Washington, a 6-foot post, recorded 10 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block per contest as a sophomore.
Chaney on Washington – “Key rebounder/scorer”
Smith, a 5-foot-10 guard, averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds last season.
Chaney on Smith – “Key Defender/could lead our team with steals.”
Depoe, a 5-foot-10 forward, posted 3 points and 3 rebounds per game last season.
Chaney on Depoe – “Key rebounder”
5-foot-4 sophomore guard Journie Burkhart and 6-foot-1 sophomore post Journey Arnall also return for the Wildcats.
“We are looking forward to this season with the bulk of our roster returning,” Chaney said. “We have a solid group of girls from junior varsity plus the incoming class. We are looking forward to everyone competing to play at all levels.”
Following a Nov. 19 jamboree at Webb City with Aurora, Carl Junction and the host school, Neosho will open its regular season at home Nov. 25 against Seneca.
