By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Miller girls basketball program enjoyed yet another successful campaign in 2025.
The Cardinals capped a 19-8 record with a seventh-straight district title before falling to Marionville in the Class 2 sectional round.
“Our goal every year is to compete for both conference and district championships, and last season we put ourselves in a strong position to do just that,” head coach Ryan White said. “Winning districts is always a privilege, one we never take for granted, but the loss to Marionville is one that continues to stick with us. They’re a conference rival we had just beaten the week prior, which made the outcome even harder to accept. In many ways, that defeat has fueled our offseason. As difficult as it was, I believe it was a necessary experience for both our returning players and myself.”
A trio of talented seniors will lead Miller this season in Loghann Leivan, Ashlynn Helton and Rachel Nunez.
Leivan, a 5-foot-8 three-time all-state selection, averaged 15.5 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals last season. She has committed to play basketball at Evangel University next season.
“Heading into her final year as a Lady Cardinal, expectations for Loghann have never been higher,” White said. “After a slow start last season due to injury, we’re counting on her to attack the rim offensively while elevating her defensive intensity. Loghann will be a key leader for us, and we’ll lean on her all season long.”
Helton, a 5-foot-8 all-conference and all-district honoree, posted 11.8 points, 5 rebounds and 2.9 steals per contests as a junior.
“For the past three seasons, Ashlynn has been a cornerstone of our team’s success,” White said. “Her absence in seven games last year was felt. This season, we need Ash to return to form on both ends of the court. For us to make a deep run, she must stay on the floor, attack the rim and defend at a high level. I’m excited to see her grow from past challenges.”
Nunez, a 5-foot-8 all-conference and all-district selection, averaged 10.9 points, 7 rebounds and 5.1 steals last season.
“Rachel has shown remarkable emotional growth over the last three years,” White said. “Last season, she stepped out of her comfort zone to help the team through injuries. This year, we look forward to her returning to her strengths, defending and rebounding. For us to reach our goals, she must dominate the boards and attack the rim.”
Layni Johnson, a 5-foot-6 sophomore, also returns for the Cardinals after posting 7.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per contest in her debut season.
“Entering her sophomore season, we expect Layni to take major strides on both ends of the court,” White said. “Offensively, she’ll need to improve her ball-handling and three-point shooting. Defensively, we’re counting on her to guard the opponent’s top player and hold them below their average. Her confidence continues to grow, and we want that trend to continue.”
In addition to Miller’s strong returning core, White expects a trio of varsity newcomers to step into prominent roles this season in 5-foot-5 junior Tori Hollister, 5-foot-6 freshman Madelyn Leivan and 5-foot-6 junior Hannah Boicu.
White on Hollister: “Tori was a good three-point option off the bench last season. This season, she needs to continue to shoot the ball with confidence while improving her defensive intensity.”
White on Madelyn Leivan: “Over the summer, Maddie has shown that she has the potential to be the missing link for our basketball team. We don’t just expect her to play at a high level defensively; we need her to. While we’re confident in her ability to run the offense as our point guard, our postseason goals depend on her leadership and execution on the defensive end.”
White on Boicu: “Hannah is one of the most athletic players in the conference. Over the past few years, she has worked to improve her basketball skills. We look for her to run in transition and defend at a high level.”
Heading into his fourth season at the helm, White expects to capitalize on his team’s overall athleticism this season, particularly at the defensive end.
“Over the past three seasons, our program has primarily played a slow-paced, half-court style,” White said. “Defensively, we’ve relied on a pack-line, man-to-man system. This season, we’re shifting our approach to emphasize full-court play on both ends of the floor. I believe we have the most athleticism we’ve had during my tenure, and we plan to leverage that by increasing defensive pressure to create more turnovers, allowing us to push the tempo and score in transition.”
With all eyes on another potential postseason run, White believes the ability to stay focused and push through adversity will play key factors in his program’s overall success this season.
“What will separate us from last year’s team is our attention to detail in everything we do,” White said. “This senior group has been talented since they were in seventh grade, but improving their focus on the little things is key, and I believe they’re ready to take that step. There’s an increased sense of urgency within this group, and it’s been very noticeable. As long as we stay locked in on the details, this season will be exactly what they’re willing to work for.”
Following a Nov. 18 jamboree at Republic, Miller opens its season Nov. 21 at Hollister.
