After going through a rebuilding patch the past few years, it seems like the Glendale Lady Falcons have turned the corner and are hoping for a big season this coming winter.
Last year, the team finished 11-15, including 2-7 in the Ozark Conference, and despite the loss of five key seniors, the team feels like good things could be in store.
“I am very excited for this upcoming season,” senior captain Kait Baird said. “I think that people have doubted us in the past, and I’m ready for a change.”
Baird, a 6-foot guard/forward, will be counted on to provide leadership as the team’s lone senior. “Kait is a versatile player that brings great leadership to the team,” said Glendale coach Renee Temple, entering her 12th year as coach of the Lady Falcons. “She can post up inside as well as run a guard spot from the perimeter. This makes her difficult to guard and match up with.”
Along with Baird, Glendale’s frontcourt returns 6-foot forward Gabby Mathews, who averaged 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last year. “Gabby is a strong inside presence,” Temple said. “She’s a solid inside player, a great rebounder, and can also hit the 15-foot jumper.”
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In the backcourt, Glendale brings back sophomore Hannah Pinkston and junior Anna Fredrick, who averaged 5.3 points last year. “Hannah is a great court leader for us,” Temple said. “She has great court awareness and can handle the ball. Anna is a great outside shooter. She has a quick release, which makes her hard to guard. Her outside shot is very consistent and opens up our inside game.”
While Temple will rely on the play of her returners, she also has big expectations for a group of newcomers that includes sophomore guards Abbey Hirsch and Jacey Noble. In addition, there are several freshmen that could see some varsity minutes. “We have three or four freshmen that could come in and make an impact early in the season,” Temple said. “We are very excited about our incoming ninth grade class.”
With a strong mix of returners and newcomers, there’s lots of excitement for the upcoming season—and for good reason.
“This team is dedicated to getting better every day, and they have been working hard to get that done,” Temple said. “With strong guard play, good size inside, and solid leadership, we have high expectations for this season.”
Playing in the Ozark Conference means an always challenging schedule, but Temple has loaded the schedule with other solid opponents. The team will play non-conference games against Willard, Ozark, Nixa, Branson, and Aurora, and will also compete in three very competitive tournaments, including the Pink and White Lady Classic after the Christmas Holiday.
