By Chris Parker
Billings girls basketball has a new head coach in Quinn Appletoft. He takes over a program coming off a 4-21 season.
“As I am making my return to coaching basketball, I am excited to have the opportunity to work with a great assistant in Coach Edwards and a young team with good leaders who are ready and willing to do what it takes to improve,” Appletoft said.
One all-conference player in Georgia Vesci returns for her senior season. She was named Second-Team All-Greater Ozarks Conference last season.
“Georgia brings intensity and passion to the court and is an outspoken leader on the team,” Appletoft said. “She is also one of our returning leading scorers.”
Fellow senior Kyla Essick also returns to play forward.
“Kyla adds a lot of talent to our program,” Appletoft said. “She spent a lot of last season injured, but we are hoping to see her step into more of a leadership role this year.”
The returning sophomore class features Atley Harter (guard), Kayla Coker (guard), Ava Rhoads (forward), Ella Barnes (forward) and Julia Tutterrow (guard).
Appletoft on Harter: “Atley spent a portion of her freshman year injured and is looking to have a breakout year on both ends of the court for us.”
Appletoft on Coker: “Kayla is a great defender who brings a lot of energy on defense and helps run our offense from the guard position.”
Appletoft on Rhoads: “Ava brings energy to the floor and was one of our leading rebounders from last season. She will look to have a bigger role in the offense this year.”
Appletoft on Barnes: “Ella is a really hard worker who is always ready to step in and fill whatever role we need her to. She will also look to have an expanded role in the offense this year.”
Appletoft on Tutterrow: “Julia saw some varsity time last season but will be looking to have an expanded role on the court this year.”
Andi Bellamy (freshman guard) and Rylee Ryan (sophomore guard) are newcomers.
“Andi is a young guard with a ton of drive and a lot of room for growth,” Appletoft said.
Ryan is a transfer.
“Rylee is new to our program and is returning to basketball after some time away,” Appletoft said. “She is a hard worker who will look to contribute this season.”
One of Appletoft’s keys will be improving ball security.
“Last year the team really struggled with turnovers which will be a big focus for us while preparing for our season,” Appletoft said. “This team was made up of mostly freshmen last season, so we expect to see a big jump in maturity this year.”
Billings opens the season on Nov. 21 at home against Galena.
“We will be looking to find ways to improve every day so that when we reach the end of our season we are playing our best basketball,” Appletoft said.
