By Matt Turer — @MattTurer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
HEAD COACH: Charley Dryer
2016-17 RECORD (PCL): 15-11 (3-4)
2016-17 POSTSEASON: ROUND 1 DISTRICTS: Lost 49-42 to Lakeland
GRADUATES: N/A
RETURNING PLAYERS: Jerika Vanderford (Sr., 5’8”, All-PCL 2nd Team), McKenna Arthurs (Sr., 5’5”), Jenna Ratliff (Jr., 5’7”), Danni Stewart (Jr., 5’7”), Liz Stewart (So., 5’3”), Kierra Gannaway (Jr., 5’8”), Kari Reed (So., 5’9”), Kaylee Lower (So., 5’8”)
NEWCOMERS: Jenna Daggett (Fr., 5’7”), Haleigh Dryer (Fr., 5’6”), Julia Dennis (Fr., 5’6”), Addison Durnell (Fr., 5’7”), Celena Lambeth (Fr., 5’4”), Makayla VanGordon (Fr., 5’6”), Taweepongpinyo Sirinapa (Jr., 5’4”)
Weaubleau bounced back from a rare losing season in 2015-16 by winning 15 games last winter with a roster of juniors, sophomores and freshman. Now a year older and more experienced and with a talented freshman class coming up the Tigers are in position to challenge for the 20-win mark for the first time since 2013-14.
“I’m anxious to see this group grow together,” head coach Charley Dryer said. “I know what I’m getting with the older girls. They’ve worked hard in the offseason to build off last year’s record. The incoming freshmen are loaded with ability. Some can play major roles as soon as this year but all will be impact players during their high school careers.”
VETERAN LEADERSHIP
This is a team that should be able to take advantage of the experience gained last year from underclassmen being thrust into leadership roles without any seniors on the roster.
Jerika Vanderford (13.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2 SPG) stood out in last year’s group and earned a second-team all-conference pick. Vanderford is one of the best all-around athletes in the conference and is coming off a phenomenal fall softball season and a state track appearances in the hurdles last spring. Playing SF/PF, she scores effectively off the dribble and in the post and has proven an exceptional rebounder.
“She’s one of the most athletic girls I’ve ever seen,” Dryer said. “She spent the summer working to improve her ball-handling and outside shot. I expect her to be a force at both ends of the floor.
Three-year varsity starter McKenna Arthurs (8.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2 SPG) is another all-around athlete a top performer in softball and track. She led the Tigers in 3-point and free-throw percentage last year and Dryer called her the team’s top defender.
“If she is focused and puts in the extra time, expect a huge season from her,” Dryer said.
Jenna Ratliff (8.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.5 SPG) was all-conference and Weaubleau’s leading scorer as a freshman in 2015-16 and was the primary ball-handler last winter. She led the team in assists and steals.
Danni Stewart (5.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG) is back at center and looks to improve on a good sophomore season. Said Dryer: “She has the ability to control the paint at both ends. I’m waiting patiently for her to realize it and do it.”
Liz Stewart (3.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.7 SPG) started last year as a freshman. She can score off the dribble, is working on consistency on the perimeter and is a good defender. “She will continue to get better each time she’s on the floor,” Dryer said.
On Kierra Gannaway: “I see her becoming more of a scoring threat this season. She could be a major key to our success if she can come in and play some physical defense, score a few and grab some boards.”
On Kari Reed: “She has five solid players returning as starters from last season but the way she played over the summer and if she continues to work and improve, look to see her in a starting role while putting up some big numbers.”
On Kaylee Lower: “Adds size and depth to the post position. She works very hard and is a player that will go above and beyond to do what you ask of her.”
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TOP NEW TALENT
Vanderford, Ratliff and Stewart all pointed to the incoming freshmen as a point of importance and excitement this season, with Vanderford having this to say: “I really look forward to this basketball season with the girls. Not only do I think it’ll be a good year for our team but a fun one. This years team bonds really well and with the freshmen experience coming up I am excited to see what we can get accomplished.”
Jenna Daggett averaged over 20 points per game in 8th grade last season. She’s a lefty with strength who can score off the dribble, rebound and push the ball. She can guard the perimeter and post and is expected to have a huge career.
Haleigh Dryer brings high basketball IQ for a freshman. She could see additional minutes if her defense continues to improve, according to Dryer.
Three more freshmen: Julia Dennis delivers strong defense, Addison Durnell is already a good ball-handler and Celena Lambeth delivers athleticism.
Makayla VanGordon is a freshman move-in that Dryer believes will add depth.
Taweepongpinyo Sirinapa is a junior foreign exchange student who Dryer says will bring spark and high energy.
IMPROVED OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION IS KEY
Weaubleau allowed just 37 points per game last season but averaged only 41, shooting 34.7 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the line.
“We need to improve our scoring,” Dryer said. “We are pretty solid defensively, we just need to hit a better percentage and find more ways to get points on the board. We averaged around 14 turnovers a game last year I would like to see that lowered a little but I can live with it being where it is at.”
The added depth from this year’s freshman class and the experience from a roster that’s the same as last year should help with that.
“This will allow us to play more up tempo and apply more ball pressure for the majority of games
in hopes of turning the other team over for a chance at easy points,” Dryer said.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
Dryer on the Tigers’ depth: “We will have two seniors this season but I still feel like we are a young team. I feel we have a group that is going to work hard daily. We will also have to compete for spots and compete in practice that we were not able to do last season.”
McKenna Arthurs on how last season’s success will translate into 2017-18: “I think we really proved ourselves last year. Teams didn’t think we were as good as we were. They didn’t think we could play at their level. We surprised teams with our level of speed and intensity and it really plays to our advantage. I think this year will be even better. I like the thought of being the underdog. We’re here to prove ourselves again and that’s what we will do.”
Dryer on district play: “The four teams ahead of us in districts last year have also gotten better (Wheatland, Hermitage, Macks Creek and Lakeland). Those will be some great measuring sticks for us.”
Dryer on PCL rivalries: “Anytime…teams are close in proximity to each other it is a rivalry. I also feel no matter the sport or the age when the battles of Highway 54 happen it is always a big tough game.”
