By John Miller (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Nearly everybody is back for the Springfield Catholic Lady Irish this year, and that’s a very good thing. One year after posting an 11-14 record, including a 3-3 mark in the now-disbanded Central Ozark Conference – Small Division, the team welcomes back five starters and 10 lettermen and hopes to make a run in March.
“We are looking to build off of last year’s success,” said Coach Jacob Morlan, now in his second year. “We’re returning almost the same team as last year with a couple additions that should help our depth and address our size and rebounding disadvantages from last year.”
Addyson Wilgus is the only graduated senior from last year. She missed most of the year due to injury.
“She was a spark for us defensively, but due to being hurt, only got to play in a few games,” Morlan said.
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With Wilgus gone, the Lady Irish will lean on the play of its 10 returners, headlined by seniors Lindsey Murphy, Olivia Wilson, and Lilly Edwards. Murphy was the team’s leading scorer last year, averaging 12.5 points and made 71 3-pointers on the year. Wilson averaged 7.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.4 steals, while Edwards averaged 4.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 steals. Murphy was named 2nd Team All-Conference, while Wilson was voted Honorable Mention.
“Lindsey is a knock down shooter,” Morlan said. “Olivia was asked to do a little of everything for us last year. She often played the five (center) on defense and would initiate our offense as the one (point-guard) after getting a rebound. Lilly was the heartbeat of the team. She does everything that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. She is a great defender and floor leader for us.”
Catholic also brings back a group of seven sophomores that includes Emily Franklin, Samantha Messerly, Ella Lippelman, Hannah Demster, Hayley Singleton, Elizabeth Killion, and Ella Collins. Franklin and Messerly are both returning starters for the Lady Irish. Franklin averaged 5.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals last year, while Messerly averaged 6.0 points and 2.3 rebounds. Franklin will start the year on the bench, though, after breaking her leg and having surgery over the summer. The team hopes to have her back around the holidays.
“Emily played heavy minutes last year as a freshman and was a lockdown defender,” Morlan said. “It was hard for me to take her out of ball games because of how hard she played. Samantha is a very good shooter who helps spread the floor for us on offense. She is very smart and should have a big year as she keeps improving.”
Newcomers to the team include senior Jaycee Cabasi, who missed last year with a torn ACL, and Ashley Swatters.
“We will look to spread the floor offensively with an abundance of players who can dribble, pass, and shoot,” Morlan said. “Defensively, we will look to be solid in the half court like we were last year, and hopefully add in some new wrinkles as we get closer to season.”
