By Chad Hayworth (for Ozarkssportszone.com)
After a seven-win season a year ago, the Seneca Lady Indians are looking to make some changes, both to the game-plan and their approach to the season, Coach Drew Schulte said.
“We’ve done a lot of work on winning the locker room first,” said Schulte, now in his eighth season leading the Seneca girls program. “That means not just being a player, but a teammate and playing for each other, not just yourself. If you have division and people not liking each other, it doesn’t matter who crosses that line, they aren’t going to play for each other.”
On the court, Schulte looks for the team to increase the defensive pressure, as a way to increase scoring chances at the other end of the floor. The Lady Indians averaged scoring 38.3 points a season ago but gave up 52.8 points per contest.
“It’s a team event on defense for us,” he said. “Athletically, we are improved since last year, which will help us on both sides of the ball.”
Senior Olivia Haase is the only returning player that averaged double-digit scoring last year. Her 13 points per game, along with an average four rebounds and three steals a game were enough to land her on the honorable mention All-Big 8 team.
She’s joined by three other classmates, fellow captain Olivia Wade, who averaged 4.1 points and 3 rebounds per game; Bella Middick (2 ppg and 3rpg); and Bailey Edwards (2ppg, 2.1rpg). Wade has been working on her outside shooting, Schulte said, while Middick is expected to be a leader on the floor. Edwards, too, should have an improved outside shot to go with her penchant for collecting loose balls, he said.
Schulte is expecting more from junior Kordy Hancock and sophomore Jolie King this season. Both are noted for their defensive skills and can get to the rim on offense, something Schulte has made a point of emphasis in the off-season.
Another sophomore, 5-foot-10 Marylynn Gil, is the leading returning rebounder, averaging 6.3 boards a season ago. With her work on offense in the off-season, she could have a breakout year, Schulte said.
A trio of freshmen are also expected to have an immediate impact on the team.
Palmer Qualls, a playmaker on offense with great court vision, Byonka Golden, a presence under the rim and Kynlee Sommer, and aggressive player on both ends of the floor, will all be working for playing time this winter, Schulte said.
“They’ve been playing together as a class for a while now, and most have played more than just your regular run of junior high basketball,” he said. “They have all done a really good job of buying into the concepts. I don’t have to tell them to go; they know their roles and what to do, so I just turn them loose.”
Seneca opens the season on November 24 hosting Neosho, before heading across Newton County for the Gem City Classic starting December 1. The Lady Indians will play in the Southwest holiday tournament after Christmas, then open Big 8 play against Monett on January 5.
“I like to say you are either winning or learning,” Schulte said. “We did a lot of learning last season. I want us to be the hardest working team on the floor, giving non-stop effort, where everyone keeps coming, no matter what and stays positive in their attitude.”
