By Denise Tucker
The Stockton Lady Tigers could be facing a rebuilding year with the loss of four starters from a team that went 18-8 overall and 3-3 in the Mid-Lakes Conference last season.
The Lady Tigers lost a total of seven senior letterwinners, three of them starters.
Kevin Besch is in his first season as Stockton girls’ head basketball coach and has a 56-36 overall record in 10 years of coaching.
Key losses to the Lady Tigers include center Sarah Spurgeon, a first-team All-District and All-MLC selection, guard Taylor Greenlee, an All-District pick and second-team All-MLC, plus guard Mati Burns, an Honorable Mention All-MLC selection. Also gone are guard Taylor Ewing, forward Hannah Ewing, guard Rachel Merrick and guard Kacey Hottes.
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Also not returning from last year’s team are guards Harley Grey and Kayla Hobbs.
Returning for the Lady Tigers is Amie Garver, 5-6 sophomore, who could potentially be a starter and play the point guard position.
Coach Besch will also be looking to newcomers seniors Annie Besch and Sierra Kenney and sophomores Sarrah Hottes and Kaytlyn Millard to contribute.
Annie Besch is a 5-9 transfer guard/forward from Monett who can score inside and out. She will look to get to the free-throw line, where she hits 80 percent.
Kenney, 5-10, was a member of the volleyball team and brings athleticism and potential to the Lady Tigers and hasn’t played basketball since junior high. She will be a presence on both ends of the floor.
Both Besch and Kenney have the chance to be starters for the Lady Tigers
Sarrah Hottes, 5-6, is another multi-sport athlete (track and cross country) who looks to make an impact this season.
Kaytlyn Millard, 5-6, is a shooting guard who is a threat from the outside.
Also new to Stockton are transfers Alexia Smith, 5-6 sophomore guard from Humansville and Shanobi Lutes, 5-6 sophomore forward from Oklahoma.
Besch likes what he’s seen and the work ethic from the Lady Tigers. He realizes they are in a tough conference and district, and knows the team can compete through hard work and teamwork. The Lady Tigers will employ a motion-style offense.
“This will be a rebuilding year, having all new faces on the floor,” said Kevin Besch, who had recent stints as the Aurora girls’ and Miller boys’ coach. “(We hope to be) getting better each week and getting ready for districts.”
