2016-17 basketball preview: West Plains Girls

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By Jordan Burton

As Scott Womack enters his 26th season at the helm of West Plains Basketball, there’s one thing that remains a constant for his Lady Zizzers.

Expectations.

West Plains enters 2016-17 with four players that started every game last year and a fifth that started 16 games.

The Lady Zizzers won’t be short on talent entering this season, with a pair of senior standouts leading the way.

Lefty point guard Payton Richards is one of the best in Missouri. The future Drury Lady Panther led the team in scoring (15.3 PPG), assists (3.9 APG) and steals (2.7 SPG). Elle Williams, a 5-foot-10 forward, finished second in scoring (13.5 PPG) but led the team in rebounding (7 RPG) for the second straight year.

Womack expects both All-Ozark Conference picks to again lead his team this year.

“They have been a big part the last two seasons and Payton has been a starter for the past three years,” said Womack. “They have been a big part of our success with two conference championships and winning 60 games in the past three years. They give us an inside-outside punch although Elle can be a tough matchup because she can score from the outside as well.  Many of our sets are to get them the ball in situations that can give them a chance to be successful.”

West Plains will also benefit from the contributions of a pair of juniors that found success last year.

Kendra Davidson (7.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG) and Lily Harris (5.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG) not only found spots in the starting lineup as sophomores, but took on major roles.

Davidson, an honorable mention All-Ozark Conference guard, emerged as a reliable third scorer, ending the regular season with double figures in three of her final four games. Harris will be one of the best defenders in the OC this winter.

“Both Lily and Kendra were big surprises last year to contribute as much as they did at the varsity level as sophomores,” said Womack. “Kendra gave us another scoring option as an all-district and honorable mention performer and Lily has all the intangibles on both ends of the floor and was on the all-defensive team for our conference.  Hopefully, both will have matured this year to take the next step in contributing to our success.”

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Womack will also have the services of senior guard Abee Shelton and junior post Kasey Bonham returns to the team after a one-year hiatus. Sophomore forward Hailey Meeks should also find minutes in the rotation.

The schedule will do them no favors this year with 19 games on the road or at neutral sites. West Plains continues to try to seek out the best competition possible, in addition to a loaded conference schedule, in hopes to preparing for a district championship run.

The Lady Zizzers haven’t played in the state tournament since Andi Haney was rockin’ red, black and white back in 2013. That mini-drought has Womack and West Plains hungry for a district championship this spring.

Especially after back-to-back early district exits at the hands of conference rival Hillcrest, despite beating the Lady Hornets during the regular season.

“Last year has left a bad taste in our mouth and I believe they really want to redeem themselves,” said Womack. “After being state ranked all season, seeded No. 1 in the district and previously beating Hillcrest by double figures, it was hard to call the season a success even though we still won 17 games.  Payton and Elle have been contributors every year and have been all-conference and all-district players the past 2 years but they still have not won a district championship so I think it is definitely a goal of theirs to have a great senior season.”

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