By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2025 was a season full of milestones for the Hillcrest girls basketball program and head coach Justin Gerald.
The Hornets posted a 19-9 record, falling to West Plains in the district semifinal round.
“Last season our ladies did so many things no one thought they would,” Gerald said. “Starting the season off 10-0, beating a program like Nixa, making it to the championship of the Pink & White and climbing to No. 5 in the MSHSAA state rankings.”
Heading into his seventh season at the helm, Gerald will look to a talented trio of athletes to lead the Hornets in Lillie Moore, Serenity Johnson and Sa’niya Johnson.
Moore, a 5-foot-9 junior, led Hillcrest in scoring the past two seasons. She averaged 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 4.3 steals per game as a sophomore.
“Lillie can handle the ball and score at all three levels,” Gerald said. “What Lillie is focusing on this season is her defense and rebounding. Once she gets that piece figured out, she will be our next all-state athlete at Hillcrest.”
Serenity Johnson, averaged 4.5 points. 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game last season.
“Serenity Johnson is our best kept secret,” Gerald said. “Serenity missed half her freshman Season recovering from a torn ACL. Sophomore season she was surrounded by talent, and in her first full year showed glimpses of being able to play at a high level. This past summer she scored at will and was a menace on defense, with quick hands and the ability to lead in transition, Serenity will have a huge campaign for her junior season. Keep an eye out for her name in our success.”
Sa’niya Johnson, a 5-foot-7 guard, averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds as a freshman.
“Sa’niya was welcomed to the stage on one of the biggest stages, the Pink & White Lady Classic,” Gerald said. “She started her first game against Sarcoxie in the opening round, defended some the best against Nixa and West Plains and held her own throughout the season.
“The most impressive thing about Sa’niya was her summer growth. Sa’niya got to play at a high level in the AAU world and in two separate roles. One being a defender and secondary offensive player, but also as a scorer in some games and her ability to get to the rim or knock down a three is becoming quite consistent.”
Gerald also expects seniors Camryn Summers, Cait Summers and Alyssa Brison to play vital roles for the Hornets this season.
“We will depend on our senior leaders the most, no doubt,” Gerald said. “Camryn and Cait Summers are twins that have played for me since the fourth grade and have made a huge impact in our growth as a program. Without these two our program would not be where it is today. Camryn has a flame thrower from the three-point line, and she has shown it all summer and this fall in workouts. Cait is vicious and loves it. She is the hardest working athlete on our team.
“Alyss Brison is another senior that we cannot do without. You may never see her name in the paper for leading us in scoring, but she had some huge moments in her junior year that put us exactly where we needed to be. Without those three Seniors, we would struggle, but since we have them, we are going to rely on them the most, they are the most important part of this team.”
In addition to his returning core, Gerald also expects big things from varsity newcomer Nayarah Shockley, the younger sibling of two former Hillcrest standouts. Shockley returns to the team following a summer ACL injury last season.
“Younger sister to Nevaeh (5-foot-8 point guard) and Heaven Shockley (6-foot post), Nayarah is the perfect mix of both her sisters,” Gerald said. “She has already impressed me with her ability to score from all three levels. At 5-foot-9, she is a mismatch for post players to step away from the rim and defend.”
“Last year it was all about reaching new heights for the program, setting and meeting expectations for us,” Gerald said. “It really became quite stressful towards the end. Now having been to the top in some instances, I don’t think it will be as stressful. I think you are going to see a very different vibe from our athletes and coaches. We have built this group for 7-8 years and I think we’re realizing time waits for nobody. If you wish something to be here and you can’t wait, at some point, that time will come and go. What I don’t want is for us to get so caught in the wins or loses and we don’t get to enjoy each other because memories are what this is all about. We are going to enjoy every day.”
Gerald also expects his team’s defensive capabilities to open up transition opportunities and spark Hillcrest’s muti-faceted offensive attack this season through a host of versatile and capable athletes.
“We have several pieces to the puzzle, and I don’t think you’re going to be able to focus in on one or two,” Gerald said. “Each one of mine has something they bring to the table and it’s going to be hard for people to guard or understand where the scoring is coming from. Defense will be our best offense. If you ask any of my players what is our best offense, their response will be defense. For that I am certain.”
Following a Nov, 18 jamboree at Joplin, Hillcrest opens its season Nov. 21 in the Bluefish Shootout.
