By Jordan Burton
A new conference, coming off the best season in program history and returning the nucleus of that team has expectations in Carl Junction sky-high.
While the Lady Bulldogs are adjusting to a new role among the state’s elite, this won’t be the first time coach Brad Shorter has been in this situation.
In fact, it was Shorter – then head coach at Webb City – that guided the Lady Cardinals into the COC-Large less than a decade ago and helped the program bounce back from a quarterfinal loss to make three consecutive Final Four runs, including a state championship in 2009.
A season-ending loss just one game shy of a trip to Columbia is never easy, but Shorter knows just how much fuel it adds to a team’s fire.
“Last year’s loss was extremely tough to swallow,” said Shorter. “Obviously four of those students have graduated since, but the remaining athletes on our club still have a very bad taste in their mouths from that loss. I feel it will be a motivating factor as we move forward. We know we missed opportunities and will work to clean those areas up. Our incoming freshman will most likely not have the same motivation as the girls on the team last year, but we will do our best to give them an understanding.”
Carl Junction returns more than enough talent to make yet another deep postseason run.
Leading the way are seniors Alex Vogt and Lauren Walker.
Last season, Vogt was named the Big 8 Player of the Year, averaging 14.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG and 2.8 SPG. A 6-foot guard, her size and skill are a rare combination and her game is still growing.
Basketball and athleticism are in the Vogt genes. One brother – Travis – was the two-time Big 8 Player of the Year at CJ and Cody Vogt helped Missouri Southern to the MIAA Track and Field championship.
“Alex had a nice year last year and followed it up with a very nice summer,” said Shorter. “I felt like she really became more assertive this summer. Her physical play has improved greatly which will make her more of a threat. Alex works very well with Megan (Scott) and Lauren. She also made a great connection with our younger kids and I think their youth and exuberance will prove to be a benefit to her and our club. Our girls complement one another well and hopefully they continue that.”
Walker, a 6-foot forward, was a part-time starter last year, playing valuable minutes down the stretch of the season due to injury. She is the ultimate glue player.
Carl Junction also returns one of Missouri’s most talented post players in 6-foot-2 forward Megan Scott. Last year Scott battled injuries throughout the second half of the season, but still managed 11.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 3 BPG.
She averaged a double-double in Carl Junction’s final three games and has received interest from several D-1 programs including Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri State.
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“I feel she is one of the best post players in the state and she continues to get better each year,” said Shorter. “She is very athletic for her size and has great ball skills. She can score and rebound with great consistency. We hope that she can stay healthy all of this season because of her being a very valuable piece in our success.”
Due to the loss of a talented senior class and senior guard Emma Frack, Carl Junction will have several faces in new roles this year.
Juniors Kate Dreiling, Karli Frazier, Tosha Hill and Madison Beecher will also see significant minutes this year, as will sophomore Kenzee Shanks.
All five players were members of last year’s team.
Shorter also believes that a trio of freshmen could end up playing valuable roles.
Katie Scott, Megan’s sister, is 6-foot-1 with a guard skillset and guards Dani Wrensch and Shila Winder will have the opportunity to help bolster the backcourt.
“We are extremely excited about her and the freshman class,” said Shorter. “Katie has shown that she can shoot outside and shares the ball exceptionally well for a freshman; she had plenty of opportunities this summer to show what she can do. Dani proved that she can take over the point guard duties and will be valuable asset to our club. We were also impressed with Shila’s athleticism.”
The talent is in place and this team will be as battle-tested as any in program history. Joining the COC Large will give CJ several marquee games. At least one-third of the conference will be state-ranked entering the season and six of the nine teams are in Class 5, making it the perfect way to prepare for the playoffs.
Shorter is familiar with the programs and coaches in the COC due to his time at Webb City and he understands the gauntlet that will make up the eight-game conference slate.
He is hoping the added toughness of the conference schedule will raise his team’s level of play come March.
“I understand the difficulty the conference presents and it will be important for our players to understand the importance of playing our best game every night,” said Shorter. “I honestly don’t think there is a better league in the state at preparing teams for postseason play than the COC.
“I think our girls are excited about getting the season started. We feel we have great players coming back and a terrific incoming freshman class. I think the mesh of these two will be highly important. If we can keep our eyes on the goals we set, we will have a chance to be successful.”
