2020-21 Winter Preview: Thayer Girls Basketball

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By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

On the heels of its Class 2 state title in 2019, Thayer was seconds away from a second-straight final four appearance last season.

A pair of Oran free throws in the final second knocked the Lady Bobcats out in the quarterfinals and ended another deep postseason run for the 18-10 squad.

Head coach Cecil Meyer, entering his fifth year at Thayer, will look to replace a lone senior graduate in all-conference selection Jurnee Rolen.

“Jurnee was a two year starter,” Meyer said. “Down the stretch last year, she was our most consistent defensive player and could play a number of spots defensively which — in our system — is not an easy task.”

Thayer returns a trio of starters to its lineup and will be led by senior guard Maddy Kerley.

Kerley, a three-year starter, averaged 15.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season. The 5-foot-5 guard received all-district and all-conference honors, as well.

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“Maddy Kerley has turned into a well-rounded player that will lead us on both ends of the floor,” Meyer said.

Kerley is joined by classmates Katie Wade (4.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Avery Pierce (3.1 ppg, 2.7 apg), Cailee Garrison and Marissa Webber.

“Katie Wade is long and athletic and showed signs last year that she can really score,” Meyer said. “Avery Pierce gives you all she can on the defensive end. Cailee Garrison is coming off an ACL injury that shortened her season last year. You know what you’re going to get when [Weber] goes in — max effort and toughness.”

Junior Callie Johnson (4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg) also returns to the lineup.

“Callie Johnson hit several big shots for us last year,” Meyer said. “She has worked hard on becoming less one-dimensional on the offensive end and sees the floor well.”

Several newcomers could make impacts at the varsity level and compete for playing time, as well, including senior Haddlee Atkisson, junior Madison Neldon, sophomore Maddy Donahue and freshmen Kylie and Natalyn Price.

The 5-foot-10 Donahhue led the junior varsity squad in scoring last season and is well-suited to make the jump to varsity this season, according to Meyer.

At 5-foot-9, the Price twins also give Thayer some much-needed depth, and both have the potential to make an immediate impact.

“Extremely athletic and great competitor,” Meyer said of Kylie Price. “Will push some kids for varsity playing time — will be shocked if she doesn’t make a difference. [Natalyn Price] is a carbon copy of her sister!”

“With the depth and athleticism, I am very excited about this group,” Meyer said. “Kids will be pushed for playing time, which I feel is very important at the small-school level.”

“I look for us to compete every night out,” Meyer said. “With our schedule, we should be ready to compete for conference and districts. Our conference is very balanced — any one of five teams could win the conference title. I am throwing this group into the fire first thing, with their first game being Kickapoo.”

Thayer opens its season Nov. 24 against Kickapoo.

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