By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Walnut Grove girls basketball program enjoyed yet another magical postseason run in 2025.
The Tigers capped a 24-6 season with a Class 1 third place finish.
Longtime head coach Rory Henry, entering his 16th season at the helm, will look to replace a talented class of graduates and a pair of all-state performers.
“We graduated a very decorated and experienced senior class last year that went to two final fours and won three district championships,” Henry said. “We had four seniors that started most of the high school career and two that were multi-year, all-state players. It will be very tough to replace their production and leadership; however, I’m very excited about the group we have coming back.”
Sadie Loehr returns to lead the Walnut Grove attack this season.
Loehr, a 5-foot-8 junior all-conference and all-district selection, averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.9 steals per contest last season.
Henry on Loehr: “Started every game as freshman and sophomore. Had a great season. Great defensive player but will look for her to step up and lead us more on the offensive end this year. Has all the tools to become an elite player.”
Loehr will be joined by fellow returnees junior Ashtyn Anderson, junior Maeli Holman, senior Ahriana Vinson, sophomore Kyndal Henry, junior Kolbi Albert, sophomore Sabrina Loehr, junior Laramie Zibell, senior Kaylea Dougherty, junior Aubrey Hailey and sophomore Bella Simpson.
Coach Henry on Anderson (4.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg): “Started some last year and got better each game. Will step into a big role this year – great shooter and has the ability to get to the rim.”
Coach Henry on Holman (2.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg): “Very athletic and works hard. Becoming a better shooter and will play a big role this season. Will be an X-factor for us. She plays hard in every part of the game.”
Coach Henry on Vinson (2.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg): “Post who has a big motor and is a fierce rebounder – will have to play big for us this year. Needs to make up for rebounding and scoring we lost last year inside.”
Coach Henry on Kyndal Henry: “Played some minutes as a freshman. Will look to step into a big role this year for us. Great defender and good passer – hoping to lead us at point guard.”
Coach Henry on Albert: “Has gotten better and better. Can be a great shooter – will compete for a big role this year.”
Coach Henry on Sabrina Loehr: “Has grown and gotten stronger – was our best player in many games this summer – plays extremely hard and will play big minutes in the post this year.”
Coach Henry on Zibell: “Has really improved in the off-season – Looking for her to play some really big minutes this year – is becoming a very good shooter.”
Coach Henry on Dougherty: “Played a lot of JV the last few years and keeps improving – will provide leadership and depth at guard.”
Coach Henry on Hailey: “Will provide depth for us.”
Coach Henry on Simpson: “Will provide depth at guard.”
In addition to his strong core of returning players, Henry expects a pair of varsity newcomers to step in and compete for minutes in freshman Alexa Kelley and senior Ari Batson.
“We have been through years like this before that we have graduated large and decorated senior classes, and we continue to re-load,” Henry said. “We will completely change the style of play and go back to a fast tempo that is based on pressure defense from end to end and an offense that will emphasize attacking the basket.
“This group played a lot of JV games last year to prepare themselves for their opportunity and they are hungry to get their chance. I’d say on paper we probably don’t look very good, but we had a great summer, and we have a winning tradition here where our players expect excellence. Our schedule is as always very challenging, but we expect to be competing for the conference and district championships by the end of the year.”
Following a Nov. 18 jamboree, Walnut Grove opens its season Nov. 25 at home against Greenfield.
