By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Logan-Rogersville girls basketball program enjoyed a banner year in 2025.
The Wildcats capped a magical 26-6 season with a Class 4 third place finish.
“We had a tremendous year last season,” head coach Cory Watts said. “We won a share of the conference title, won the district and finished third in the final four. Those experiences will motivate our athletes to try to continue to perform at a high level.”
Expectations are high heading into the season, as Rogersville returns its top eight scorers from last year.
All-state honoree Hailey Buckman returns to lead the Wildcats attack this season.
Buckman, a 6-foot senior and Southeast Missouri State commit, averaged 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game as a junior.
“Hailey is a long guard that is a tremendous offensive threat,” Watts said. “She can score from anywhere on the floor. She is an excellent rebounder and a much improved defender. She will be one of the better guards in southwest Missouri.”
Buckman will be joined by a trio of classmates in Eden Kibby, Reagan Rasmussen and Taylor Wray.
Kibby, a 5-foot-6 all-conference and all-district honoree, recorded 10 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists last season.
“Eden is one of the area’s best three-point shooters,” Watts said. “She made 86 three pointers last season while shooting 38 percent. Eden continues to develop her game beyond just being a shooter.”
Rasmussen, a 6-foot-1 all-conference and all-district performer, posted 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks per contest last season.
“A long, athletic post player that has the ability to rebound, block shots and score,” Watts said. “Reagan has become an elite player in the area.”
At 5-foot-6, Wray returns to the team following an injury last year.
“Taylor is another athletic guard, and she plays with a very high level of intensity,” Watts said. “She will be an asset to us defensively. Taylor suffered an ACL injury in the spring. We hope to have her back around January.”
Juniors Millie MacPherson, Sidney Holland, Addison Cleghorn, Courney Batey also return, along with sophomore Mary Greer.
Watts on MacPherson – “Millie is a true point guard. Millie will be one of our better defenders and another weapon that can score from the perimeter. She has mental toughness and loves to compete. She will be a name to know this season.”
Watts on Holland – “Sid is very athletic. She will be one of our best defenders and has the ability to disrupt the other team with her length and quickness. She also will be another threat on the offensive end. She continues to improve and will be a big part of what we do this season.”
Watts on Cleghorn – “She is a strong guard that has a ton of talent. She can play every position on the floor. Addison likes to be physical on defense and can score anywhere on the floor.”
Watts on Batey – “Courtney has the ability to defend in the post and on the perimeter. She also shoots the ball very well. She will be asked to play a bigger role for us this season.”
Watts on Greer – “Mary saw a little time for us last year as a freshman. She has good size and we are expecting growth from her on both ends of the floor.”
While Rogersville will benefit from eight returnees, Watts believes a number of freshman and sophomore players could see varsity minutes this season, as well.
“Our goals every year are the same, we want to compete for conference and district titles,” Watts said. “This year with so many returning players we will also want to return to the final four. In order to achieve such high goals our girls will have to defend every night, work together and continue to grow as players.”
With high expectations, Watts believes his team will be well-positioned for success, thanks in part to its battle-tested postseason experience.
“Experience will be our biggest strength,” Watts said. “Advancing to the final four a year ago allowed us to gain more experience in big time atmospheres and high-pressure situations. We also should be really good offensively. I expect the juniors this year to play a bigger role on the offensive end this year as well.”
Following a Nov. 18 jamboree, Rogersville opens its season Dec. 1 in the Fair Grove Invitational Tournament.
