By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Willard girls basketball saw a slight improvement last season.
The Tigers finished with a record of 11-16, falling to Webb City in the district tournament.
Heading into his fourth year at the helm, head coach Luke Floyd believes his team’s stretch run last season will have it poised for success heading into the winter campaign.
“We had an OK season last year,” Floyd said. “We had a tough schedule to start the season and lost several games early which really affected our confidence. To the girls’ credit, we had a great second half of the season in which we played our best game of the year in our district loss.”
Floyd has additional reason for optimism, as all five starters return in Elise Murray, Hadley McNatt, Harper Floyd, Kennidy Keller and Jaylee Menditto.
Murray, a 5-foot-6 senior all-conference and all-district honoree, averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.3 steals per contest last season.
“Elise has been our starting point guard since her freshman year,” Coach Floyd said. “She excels on both ends of the floor. Elise is a talented player with a huge will to win. Her speed and athleticism really separates her from her peers.”
McNatt, a 5-foot-2 senior, posted 5.1 points per game as a junior.
“Hadley has started off and on the past two years for us,” Coach Floyd said. “When not starting, Hadley has been our sixth man. Hadley is an outstanding shooter and really helps us space the floor. Defensively, Hadley is a tireless worker that makes things happen.”
Harper Floyd, a 6-foot senior all-conference selection, averaged 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds last season.
“Harper has started the past two years for us,” Coach Floyd said. “Harper can play inside and out. Harper has good footwork in the post and shoots the ball well from outside. Defensively, she can guard inside and out.”
Keller, a 5-foot-6 junior all-conference honoree, averaged 8.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 2025.
“Kennidy has started since her freshmen year,” Coach Floyd said. “Kennidy is a skilled player that continues to work on her game and improve. Kennidy can score from all levels and has become a solid defender for us.”
Menditto, a 5-foot-6 junior, recorded 3.6 points per game last season.
“Jaylee started off and on for us the past couple of years,” Coach Floyd said. “Jaylee can do it all for us and is happy to do whatever is asked of her. Jaylee can score from all levels and has great floor vision. Defensively, she can guard all positions.”
5-foot-10 senior Cassidy Miller, 5-foot-6 senior Macy Martin, 5-foot-6 junior Sydney West, 5-foot-4 sophomore Addy Smith, 5-foot-4 sophomore Mady Martin and 5-foot-6 sophomore Emma Anderson also return for the Tigers.
Coach Floyd on Miller: “Cassidy is a three-year letterman for us. Cassidy is a great shooter and can play inside for us as well. Cassidy has become a solid rebounder and defender for us.”
Coach Floyd on Macy Martin: “Macy has been a solid JV player the past couple of seasons and has gotten some varsity minutes. Macy is a hard worker that has a nose for the ball and plays with great energy.”
Coach Floyd on West: “Sydney has played varsity off and on for us the past couple of years. Sydney is a hard worker on both ends of the floor. Sydney can shoot the ball well and can defend all positions.”
Coach Floyd on Smith: “Addy got some varsity time last year as a freshman as well as having a great JV season. Addy is a skilled guard that works hard on her game. We are expecting big things from her this year.”
Coach Floyd on Mady Martin: “Mady also got some varsity minutes after playing primarily JV last year. Mady is a good athlete that works hard. We are expecting big things from Mady this year.”
Coach Floyd on Anderson – “Emma is another sophomore that played primarily JV last season but got some varsity minutes. Emma has great basketball instincts and makes things happen when she’s on the floor.”
Willard will also benefit from a talented group of varsity newcomers this season. Coach Floyd expects 5-foot-2 sophomore Callie Wilken, 5-foot-5 sophomore Rilyn Kiser and 5-foot-2 sophomore Bella Garcia to compete for playing time.
Coach Floyd on Wilken: “Callie is a relentless player on both ends of the floor. Callie handles and shoots the ball well but makes her biggest impact on the defensive end of the floor. She is a player that you love to watch guard.”
Coach Floyd on Kiser: “Rilyn continues to get better and better. She had a really good summer for us. You can see her confidence grow every time she steps on the floor. “
Coach Floyd on Garcia: “Bella had a good summer for us. Bella is a great shooter that can really space the floor for us. She is becoming a better defender and all-around player. She has a bright future in our program.”
With plenty of speed, Willard will look to push the pace this season and force teams to play a style they might not see very often, according to Coach Floyd.
“I think that the girls are very motivated to go out and make this the best season possible,” Floyd said. “We are really focused on being the best version of us that we can be. We are going to have to shoot the ball well and play relentless defense every time we step on the floor, and I know that we are up to that challenge.”
Following a Nov. 19 jamboree at Nixa, Willard opens its season Nov. 22 in the Bluefish Shootout.
