By Chris Parker
Mansfield posted a fourth consecutive winning season with a 13-11 record last year. The Lady Lions will look for even more this year with three first-team all-conference players returning.
The three players include juniors Logan and Lauren Jones and senior Haley Tripp. Those three combined with senior forward Madalyn Ivy will form the team’s leadership core.
“Logan Jones became a great player over the last month of the season after we lost our top two leading scorers last year. Lauren was our leading scorer when she had a season ending injury in January,” Mansfield head coach Gary Greene said. “Haley and Madalyn are our two seniors who both provide defensive intensity, leadership. Haley is a streaky shooter who was an all-conference player last year along with Logan and Lauren.”
Logan Jones averaged 14.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last year. She scored 23 points per game over the final 10 games of the season. Lauren Jones averaged 10.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
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Junior Macie Tate is a junior who moved into the starting lineup late last season. She is a solid shooter and intense competitor.
Freshmen Haven Tripp and Elly Williams are two freshmen who should see varsity action this year.
“Haven is a very athletic player with a very high ceiling,” Greene said. “Elly has some tremendous potential, but she will have to figure out the difference between varsity level basketball and junior high basketball.”
Mansfield will be strong defensively, but must improve rebounding.
“Our ability to guard should be our biggest strength. We will be versatile and we should be able to score some points in transition,” Greene said. “We are going to have to rebound better and we will have to make sure we understand what we are good at and what we aren’t.”
Mansfield will host Central, Catholic and Mountain Grove for a jamboree. The Lions will open the season on Nov. 22 at home against Bakersfield.
“I expect us to be solid if we can maintain a healthy lineup,” Greene said. “I think we be known for being tough and physical with an ability to hang around and be a tough out for anyone.”
