By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Strafford Lady Indians enter the 2023-24 season with excitement over the unknown. Strafford’s eager to see how its team develops, as established returnees mesh with talented newcomers.
Defense and selflessness will remain the priorities for one of the Ozarks’ premier programs.
“Our philosophy will be to play great hard-nosed defense and be a great rebounding team, while playing with great pace and selflessness on offense,” said Strafford coach Dustin Larsen. “We will be focused on attacking each day, working hard and developing as players and people.
“This group has a chance to really grow during the season.”
Strafford welcomes back a pair of all-state players to the starting lineup.
Senior wing Lauren Jones took her game to another level last season, earning all-conference and all-state honors. She averaged around 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals per game.
“Lauren’s continued to progress and mature,” Larsen said. “She can score at all three levels.”
Point guard Elsie Larsen quickly emerged as one of the area’s top young players. She earned all-conference and all-state honors.
Larsen, the daughter of the head coach, stuffed the stat sheet. She tallied about 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals per game, and even recorded a few triple-doubles.
“She’s a great passer, selfless and can score from anywhere,” Coach Larsen said. “We are excited for her sophomore year after the experience she gained as a freshman.”
Jones and Larsen, each listed at 5’9”, are also two of Strafford’s tallest players.
Junior Brooklyn Adney will look to give Strafford a third reliable scoring threat.
“She’s a good shooter, passer and ball-handler,” Coach Larsen said. “We are expecting a big junior year from her.”
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From there, Strafford has several names who figure to see regular varsity action.
A pair of seniors, Kennedy Clark and Ally Rust, bring defensive toughness to the squad.
“Kennedy is a scrappy, hard-nosed defender who has grown her confidence on the court,” Coach Larsen said. “Ally has great speed and is a good on-ball defender.”
Sophomores Zoe Allison and Lizzy Vanhorn, along with junior Ellie Heil, will look to carve out roles as well.
“Zoe really made great progress and got good experience as a freshman. We’re excited to see her continue to progress,” Coach Larsen said. “Lizzy has worked on her ball-handling and shooting, and always brings great energy on defense. Ellie has good size at the guard position and continues to improve her game.”
Strafford finished 20-9 overall last season, hitting the 20-win mark for the 10th straight season.
The Lady Indians reached their district title game but lost to eventual Class 3 state champion Fair Grove. The outcome ended Strafford’s run of seven straight district championships.
The Lady Indians must replace two seniors from their 20-win squad: guard Laney Humble and forward Sophia Frerking.
Humble joined the team after spending her first two years at Sparta and became a quality scorer at all three levels. She earned second team all-conference honors last season and now plays for Baptist Bible College in Springfield.
Frerking brought an athletic presence in the low post.
Two new players who could fill the production void are senior Evelyn Comstock and sophomore Reese Darnell.
Comstock is back with the team for the first time since her freshman season.
“She’s a good athlete, teammate and will help us on both ends of the floor,” Coach Larsen said.
Darnell (5’9”) had a productive season for Strafford’s JV team that went 12-4 overall.
“She’s athletic and a good shooter. We’re excited to see how she continues to improve,” Coach Larsen said.
Strafford opens the regular season at the Willard Classic (Nov. 29-Dec. 2). The Lady Indians will have an inter-state matchup on Dec. 9 when they play Kentucky school Lyon County at the Norm Stewart Classic in Columbia.
Strafford isn’t scheduled to have a home game until Jan. 9 against Carl Junction.
“Our schedule, conference, and district will bring great challenges, but those are the challenges we are excited for and need to continue to get better and continue a great tradition,” Coach Larsen said.
