By Chris Parker
Galena girls basketball was young last year going 2-22 overall. The good news is that four starters return this year.
Leading those returning players junior Maci Doak who was the team’s lone all-conference selection last year.
“She is one of the best leaders I’ve had as a coach,” Galena head coach David Argo said. “Everything she does is 100%. She is the leader of our defense, and took large steps forward on the offensive end.”
Savanna Baker (senior), Swift Jones (junior), Chayley Plottner (sophomore), Bree Rice (sophomore) and Tayln Mackey (sophomore) are five more returning players that Argo highlighted.
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Argo on Baker: “She is my lone senior and four-year starter. She will be asked to really focus on both ends of the floor, to provide leadership and depth to our guard rotation.”
Argo on Jones: “Swift gave us good minutes last season after taking off her eighth and ninth grade years. She developed into a good combo guard/post player. I’m looking forward to her becoming more of an all-around player this year. She has all the tools to be a very good student athlete.”
Argo on Plottner: “Chayley has been working hard in the off-season to develop her game. She has become a very good shooter with the ability to take people off the dribble. She is very athletic so she will be called to have many roles with this team.”
Argo on Rice: “Bree will be asked to shoulder most of the load at both ends. She worked hard to improve her foot speed, and the ability to attack the rim. She is a versatile player that can play any position. We are looking forward to seeing her grow.”
Argo on Mackey: “Tayln is another young athletic player with the ability to score the ball from inside or out. You hardly ever see her without a basketball in her hand. She loves the game and it shows through her development.”
Sophomore Jasmine Temich along with the freshman quartet of Avery Foster, Baylee Stacy, Maribelle Martin and Emma Baker will be newcomers to watch.
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Galena will open the regular season on Nov. 19 at Niangua.
“We’re looking forward to the upcoming season with all that we bring back,” Argo said. “This team will be young, athletic and fast. We’re going to have growing pains, but with discipline we can build this young roaster and shape them into a competitive team. We have a tough conference, so the goal is to get better every time we step on the floor. We have the players to turn this program around, and will add more key players next season off the JH team.”
