2017-18 Winter Preview: Lamar Girls Basketball

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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Entering her first year as a head coach, Mandy Moyer couldn’t ask for a better situation.

Not only is she a Lamar alum, but she’s taking over a team that is familiar with her coaching style.

So, the typical transition that most teams undergo with a new head coach will be expedited.

“I’ve coached all these girls either in Middle School or High School,” said Moyer. “Same culture. We just want to become more competitive in practice so we know how to compete in a game.”

Lamar returns four starters from last year’s district runner-up team and add former Missouri Southern star and East Newton head coach Erin Rice as an assistant coach.

The Lady Tigers have no shortage of reasons to be excited entering 2017-18.

All four returning starters are seniors.

Returning scoring leader Darrah Bartlett was an All-Big 8 selection a year ago, averaging 13 points and four rebounds. Katelyn Mooney is also back after averaging 11 points and seven rebounds.

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Bartlett and Mooney, All-Big 8 volleyball honorees in the fall, are again expected to shoulder major roles on both ends of the floor.

While they will likely receive individual accolades, both players help foster a team-first environment.

“I believe Katelyn and Darrah would agree with me that the team makes them effective on the court,” said Moyer. “Darrah knows the game very well and is humble. Katelyn is quick and can move well for her size. Teams will have a hard time matching up with her.”

Fellow seniors Kara Beshore and Lauren Morgan will again return to pivotal roles. Beshore (10 PPG in 2016-17) is one of the team’s best perimeter shooters and Morgan provides a physical defender and rebounder.

Lamar also welcomes back four other letterwinners that bring depth and versatility.

Junior Halle Doss will take over point guard duties from Alyssa Fanning. Moyer likes Doss’ 5-foot-8 frame, which allows her to make plays that smaller guards can’t. She also believes Doss could develop into one of the top guards in the area.

Classmate Lauren Compton comes from an athletic family. At 6-foot, with the ability to step out on the perimeter, she offers an interesting matchup problem, especially playing alongside Mooney.

Moyer is expecting Michaela Allen, Faith White, Halle Miller and Ashland Diggs to fill out the varsity roster. She’s also been impressed with the freshman class, which has multiple players that could see playing time this year.

After a summer that saw the varsity and freshman teams each go 7-1 and win the camp championship at Pitt State Team Camp, the foundation seems to be rock solid for what could be a great year.

It’s been nearly two decades since the Lady Tigers played postseason basketball or even hung a banner and Moyer is well aware of the history; she was a senior on the last Lamar team to win anything.

While Class 3 in the Ozarks is extremely competitive at a state level, Moyer is hopeful her kids can have the experience of playing in the state tournament as well.

“I graduated from Lamar in 2000,” said Moyer. “The last time we won a conference or district championship was my junior and senior year – almost 18 years ago.

“I love the game. I know what it feels like to be on a championship team and I want the same for my girls.”

Lamar opens the 2017-18 season on Nov. 20 at Wheaton.

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