By Chris Parker
Branson girls basketball posted a second-straight winning record with a 16-11 finish last season. It was also the program’s first year in the newly formed Ozark Mountain Conference.
“The OMC for girls basketball was incredibly tough,” Branson head coach Kip Bough said. “If you look at the records of the teams last year and the past successes of the girls teams, it shows how tough the conference is. As good as it was last year the majority of the players are returning this year.”
Junior Angel Craigg returns after earning second-team all-conference honors last season. She poured in 16.2 points per game with 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3 steals per game.
“Angel loves to play the game,” Bough said. “When you watch her, what you are seeing is a kid who has had fun playing over the years with her dad and brother and teammates. You see a kid who has learned to play by watching and imitating older players and has a sense of fun and enjoyment on the court. I expect her to have another good season. She is really fun to coach and a great teammate. She will have the ball in her hands the majority of the time.”
Taylee Wilkerson, Neeley Houston and Kallie Hall are back for their senior seasons.
“Taylee is an athletic player who we will use as an outside threat,” Bough said. “She guards hard and can get hot from behind the three-point line.”
Wilkerson averaged 5.2 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game as a junior.
Houston returns with averages of 4.1 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2.4 steals per game.
“Neeley is another really athletic player,” Bough said. “Neeley will be able to guard some of the most talented offensive players in the area but also can run the floor and finish.”
Hall saw action in 21 of 27 games in her junior season.
“Kallie can be called upon to shoot the outside shot and score,” Bough said. “She will also guard the other team’s ball handlers.”
Juniors Samantha Albritton, Madison Bough and Erinn Swofford also return to the program.
Albritton played in 23 games as a sophomore with averages of 2.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
“Sam is a tall, athletic girl who backed up our post position last year,” Coach Bough said. “Sam can play on the outside and the inside. She runs the floor really well and handles the ball well. Sam contributed a lot last year and will be asked to make major contributions this year.”
Bough and Swofford both bring good shooting from deep.
“Madison has a high game IQ, handles the ball well and makes smart decisions. She is very smart on defense and can shoot the 3 ball well,” Coach Bough said. “Erinn is a sharpshooter who can fill it up from behind the three-point line. Erinn is capable of making several shots a game.”
Juniors Cali Fronterhouse, Anastasia Petri and Macy McGuire along with freshman Maya Tolivar are newcomers to watch.
Coach Bough on Fronterhouse: “Cali is the tallest girl on our team. She has made great improvement in her skills and is likely to see some varsity time.”
Coach Bough on Petri: “Ana is an athletic girl who showed some nice ability this summer and is hoping to see some varsity time.”
Coach Bough on McGuire: “Macy wasn’t able to play last year because of a hip issue. She is working her way back into the groove of things but she has played with this junior group growing up and has been a major contributor.”
Coach Bough on Tolivar: “Maya is an incoming ninth grader this year who loves to play and spends a lot of time playing. She will give us an extra ball handler this year.”
Branson will play a fast style.
“Our biggest strength will be playing at a fast pace and that this group of kids has played a lot together and they are aggressive,” Bough said.
Branson opens the season on Nov. 25 at Cassville.
