2016-17 basketball preview: Gainesville Girls

gainesville-9

By Kary Booher

Out in Ozark County, in a small town called Gainesville, the locals have the best of both worlds. Minutes away is terrific fishing at Bull Shoals and Norfolk lakes in the summertime and, in the winter, there’s solid high school basketball.

In fact, the Gainesville Lady Bulldogs basketball team should be a draw again this season. And that’s despite seeing its longtime coach retire and graduating three starters, including Madison Strong, who scored 2,000 career points and was Class 2 All-State.

A year ago, Gainesville finished 30-2 and reached the state quarterfinals before falling to eventual state champion Crane. But the Lady Bulldogs have hired former successful Norwood boys varsity coach Morris Jenkins and return an intriguing group of players.

Among them being senior guard/forward Michia Jenkins and junior center Annie Noah, an All-State, All-Summit League and all-district selection last year.

“We’re confident if we do the things we need to,” Jenkins said, “we’ll be in position to compete (in February and March).”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS

Jenkins offers a smooth transition for Gainesville after the retirement of Jack Harris. You see, Jenkins was 323-247 in 15 seasons at Norwood, winning four district championships and enjoying about six 20-win seasons, and then has spent the past two seasons as a Gainesville varsity boys assistant.

The fact he has worked in the school district already – and oversaw the basketball team’s summer workouts – gives Jenkins unique insight in how to transition to this team.

With Strong, Scout Jeckstadt and Abby Britt now graduated, Gainesville will transition from a more perimeter-dominated attack to a post-centric strategy.

Which is where Noah and Jenkins come in.

Noah averaged 7.1 points, 7.6 rebounds as well as 4 assists and 1.8 steals per game last season. Jenkins can play the guard-forward swing role after averaging 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds along with 2 assists and 1.3 steals a game.

“(Annie) is a kid who’s unselfish and works hard to get better,” Jenkins said. “And she’s open to increasing her role.”

Jenkins could be effective against smaller guards by driving toward the basket.

“She has the ability to take them inside and create opportunities,” Jenkins said. “Hopefully both the girls can increase the opportunities from the free-throw line and put the defense in a tough spot.”

The team also should be buoyed by senior Destiny Scott, who averaged 3.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists last season.

“She played a lot last year, too,” Jenkins said. “She’s a real aggressive defender and runs the floor well. She definitely can be an asset for us.”

Aspyn Britt, a junior, is moving into the point guard role after playing as a reserve on varsity and the starting point guard on JV.

Juniors Shelby Smith, Shai Meek, Chasity Mansker and sophomore Cassie Carlo also will see increased roles.

That said, Jenkins anticipates no easy nights in the Summit League, nor in the postseason. That’s why he has created challenges in the schedule, including a trip to a northern Arkansas tournament, a game against Spokane and the Mountain Grove Tournament.

“I’m looking forward to getting started,” Jenkins said. “We did our summer stuff, and we had a good experience with the team. We’ll see if we can progress from where we were. I think the girls are excited as well.”

Related Posts

Loading...