By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Greenwood girls basketball head coach Mike Percival has a nice luxury on his hands.
His 2025-26 Lady Blue Jays return five starters and six lettermen to the hardwood this season.
A luxury many coaches would covet for the upcoming campaign.
“You kind of know where you stand,” Percival said of the 11 returners. “You always like to get the influx of some new talent here and there, but to know what you have coming back gives you a little bit of an advantage, I would think.”
The season goal is simplistic: improve upon last year’s 17-9 record.
Entering his ninth season at Greenwood, Percival’s Lady Jays are looking for a deeper postseason run this spring, as they fell to Jasper 72-41 in the opening round of last year’s Class 2 District 12 tournament.
“We are looking to improve upon what we did last year. We basically have the same group that we had last year. We are adding two of our incoming freshmen, who are pretty active basketball players,” Percival said. “We are looking to stay even or improve on what we did last year.”
Percival has 38 years under his belt and has amassed a 505-438 record, including going 17-9 last season.
Returners this year include senior leading scorer Elif Benzer (18 ppg) and rebounder (6 rpg).
“She works hard on both ends of the floor,” Percival said.
Benzer was named first-team all-district and all-conference last year.
Harper Pinkston, a 5’8” senior, also returns after averaging two points, four rebounds and 1.4 assists per game last year.
“[She] plays inside and outside depending on the situation,” Percival said.
Also returning is 5’8” senior guard Samantha Schneider, who averaged four points and three rebounds per game.
“[She] works hard on the defensive end and [is] improving offensively,” Percival said.
Also back in the fold is 5’8” junior Gia Lutomske: “[A] post player [who] can step outside at times [and is] improving defensively,” Percival said.
Lutomske was second-team all-conference after averaging seven points and seven rebounds per game.
Rounding out the returning starters and lettermen are sophomore Alyssa Newman and Emma Daughtery.
Newman was the second-leading scorer (14 ppg) and second-leading 3-point shooter one year ago.
Daughtery is a perimeter player who is “improving defensively,” Percival said.
Freshmen include 5’6” Courtney Richards and 5’6” Jessica Schneider (sister to Samantha).
The preseason jamboree is slated for Nov. 17 at Billings and will include Bradleyville.
This marks the first time the Lady Jays have taken part in the exhibition.
“Looking for chemistry, even with the same group as last year. From year-to-year, chemistry changes, roles change a little bit. I will go into that situation to assess if we need to make any adjustments,” Percival said of the exhibition.
The regular-season opener is slated for Nov. 24-26 as the Jays will play in the Fair Play Girls Tournament.
Greenwood was the last team standing last year after besting Stockton 33-30, and Percival hopes for the same outcome heading into the Thanksgiving break.
“We are hoping to have the same success,” Percival said.
The home opener is Jan. 6 against Pleasant Hope.
