By Amanda Perkins
A freshman led the way last season for the MVBT-Liberty Lady Eagles, and she returns ready to once again turn up the heat on her SCA opponents.
Piper Francis put on a clinic each night with her 21.7 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals per game, and she brought Liberty to their best season in program history with a 19-8 final record.
She set the school record for scoring in a single season with 560 points, and connected on 53 threes to set that school record as well. The 5’8” all-district and all-conference guard could easily reach the 1,000 point mark in her sophomore season if she stays on pace.
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The Lady Eagles suffered a season ending upset in the district tournament at the hands of the Ava Lady Bears, the No. 6 seed whom they had already bested by 20 points earlier in the season. “The kids are still stung by that loss,” said new coach Jeff Atchison, who takes over for coach Matthew Orchard. Mountain View is ready for another shot at the district title with experienced players at the helm.
In addition to Francis, senior center and returning letterman Jaci Mantel will play a major role for the team. “She plays big for her size and could average a double-double this year,” said Atchison. Last season she put up 15 ppg, 7.5 rebounds, and 4 assists and was named to the all-SCA second team.
Junior guards Madison and Marissa Berry are also returning lettermen. “The Berry girls are identical twins and play a lot alike,” said Atchison. “They are hard to tell apart on the floor.” Even their stat lines were nearly identical; each scored 10 points, had 2 assists, and 3 steals, and Madison added 6 rebounds per game while Marissa averaged 5. Both will run the point, with Madison scoring around the basket and finishing plays.
Sophomore Trinity Clark is a good defender who is quick and can finish at the rim. Fellow junior Kamryn Gastineau is a post/forward who is also fast, can rebound, and can shoot. She added 10 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals on the JV last year.
“There is talent in the younger ranks, and several will get playing time,” said Atchison. These players are junior Allie Marshall, sophomores Emmalee Layman, Emily Guidry, Taylor Randolph, and Amanda Mantel, and freshmen Kinley Richards, Amber Collins, and Kaitlyn King.
The Lady Eagles lost team captain Hanna Vines, a tough defender and leader, to graduation.
Atchison said conference games that also have district implications will be their most important contests, and traveling to 10 road games will be their biggest challenge.
“I think this team will be able to score the ball,” he said. “We will be fast, short, but really quick. We are going to play the game end to end and press and trap all over the court. I think with this team we can get out on the break and look to score the bulk of our points through transition. At any time, there will be five girls on the court that can shoot the ball and play any offensive position. I really like our team and think the kids did a good job of buying in this summer. We had some good games against quality opponents.”
The Lady Eagles open their season on the road at Licking on November 21.
