By Chris Parker
Ash Grove girls basketball went 17-9 finishing as district runner-up last season.
Head coach Bryan Dean hopes the lessons of recent seasons pay off in the form of more success this season.
“The team has gained valuable lessons in the past two years, losing close games to top teams in the area and coming up short in last year’s district championship,” Dean said. “We need to focus on details so we can control and value every possession.”
A pair of all-conference selections return for Ash Grove in Millison Sapp and Bristol Lathrop.
Sapp is a two-time First-Team All-Southwest Conference selection entering her junior season. She averaged 14.3 points, 4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.4 steals per game last season.
“She has had to handle pressure in key moments, bring up the ball, guard the best player, and get every team’s best defender or defenders so she has become mentally tougher and physically stronger. Her motor never stops,” Dean said. “I believe she has the skill sets as one of the top guards in the area, but her focus will be on her team and doing everything to make the team succeed.”
Lathrop earned second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore. She averaged 14 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
“(Lathrop is a) mismatch nightmare that we like to expose. Putting her in situations where if they switch, she can bury people inside and if they don’t she pops and hits the three or can beat people off the dribble,” Dean said. “She puts in the time to work on all the skill sets to make her a complete player, so she can respect the game. Her height and athletic build are a great strength.”
Sophomores Brooke Nicholson (guard), Alivia Duit (forward) and Allie Goodsell (guard) all return after playing in all 26 games last season.
Nicholson contributed 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1 steal per game.
“Brooke Nicholson (is) a player with a lot of basketball IQ, has the poise of a seasoned player, can shoot the three and is a great competitor,” Dean said.
Duit scored 4 points per game with 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal per game.
“Alivia Duit is a long and athletic player that will grow with every opportunity,” Dean said. “She can naturally score around the rim and grab the defensive rebounds to end possessions.”
Goodsell had 2 points per game as a freshman.
“Allie Goodsell (is) a player that loves the game and has worked hard with her fundamentals to have a good role for the team. (She) also can hit the threes,” Dean said.
Lacey McCullough will look to have an expanded role this season after playing in 14 games on varsity averaging 3 points per game.
“Lacey McCullough (is) a player that is gritty and will work extremely hard on both ends of the floor,” Dean said. “(She) also is a natural shooter.”
Freshman Kyndal White (guard) will look to make an immediate varsity impact.
“Kyndal White is a guard that has played a lot of basketball,” Dean said. “She will extend zones with her three-point shooting and help with ball handling.”
Sophomore Oakley Dowling will also look to carve out a role on varsity.
“Oakley Dowling is an athlete that will be a great role player for the program,” Dean said. “She works hard and will be able to guard multiple positions.”
Ash Grove opens the season on Nov. 21 at home against Spokane.
