By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Ava Lady Bears dropped a one-point heartbreaker in district play and finished with 11 wins last season. Now, in her third year at the helm, head coach Jacey Swofford looks to build on that foundation and guide Ava to the next level.
“Each year, our goal is to continue building and strengthening this program,” said Swofford. “Over the past two seasons, we’ve made steady progress and improved our record. This year, my focus is not only on developing our players’ basketball skills but also on shaping them into resilient, hard-working individuals. As a coach, I’m proud to have talented athletes, but my ultimate goal is to help them become determined competitors who can overcome challenges both on and off the court.”
The young team earned valuable varsity experience last season and features several returners. Junior Jessie Shrable (5’7”) stepped into the role of point guard in her sophomore campaign and averaged ten points, five rebounds, three assists, and four steals per game. “She handled the responsibility with maturity and determination,” said Coach Swofford. “She is an aggressive, hard-working player who gives maximum effort every time she’s on the court. Jessie’s endurance and competitiveness make her a key player, often one we can’t afford to take out of the game.”
Taylor Dry, 5’8” junior, is another player who stepped into a significant role as a sophomore, making a strong impact on the defensive side and averaging five points and five rebounds. “She is quick, handles the ball well, and brings great energy to the floor,” said Swofford. “I’m looking forward to seeing her continue to grow as both a leader and a key contributor this season.”
Rilee Croston is a 5’7” returning senior. “Rilee is the kind of player every team wants to have,” said Swofford. “She consistently goes above and beyond, often putting in extra work on her own time. With her strong outside shot and dedication to improvement, she will be an important part of the team this season. I’m excited to see her finish her senior year on a high note.”
Ebanee Nelson, 5’8” senior with a five-point scoring average, “is our big girl down low,” said Coach Swofford. “She works hard and we are looking forward to seeing her have a great senior year.”
Alexis Swearengin is a sophomore making her debut at the varsity level this season and will play an important role in helping handle the ball, per her coach. “Over the past few months, she has shown great commitment by putting in extra work to improve her skills,” said Swofford. “I’m excited to see her continued growth and development as a player.”
Coach Swofford knows progress doesn’t happen by chance. “We focus on hard work, daily improvement, and supporting one another as a team,” she said.
The Ava Lady Bears will jamboree at Spokane November 17 and open their season at Fordland November 24.
