By Chris Parker
Sarcoxie posted a second straight winning season with a 15-11 record last winter.
An experienced group returns this season.
“Our strength will be in our experience,” Sarcoxie head coach April Ellis said. “We have seven seniors this year. Their leadership will be the pillar of our program this year and everything they are able to create with it.”
Remington Garrison is one of those seniors. She enters her fourth season as a starting point guard. Garrison earned all-conference and all-district honors after she averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 3.8 steals per game.
“She is very fluent with the basketball and is able to conduct this team’s offense with poise,” Ellis said. “Remington has been a four-year starter and not missed a game her entire high school career. Remington is athletic and likes to get to the rim.”
Jordyn Misner is a two-time all-conference player. She was the team’s leading rebounder at 6.5 rebounds per game to go with 8 points, 2.4 assists and 2.5 steals per game.
“I expect to lean on her to make big plays this season,” Ellis said. “She has great leadership skills, and I look for her to lead her teammates on the floor. We expect Jordyn to really demonstrate her athletic ability in the paint and in transition.”
Ellis expects senior Noemie Ramirez to increase her scoring average of 1.5 points per game from her junior season.
“I am expecting a jump in Noemie’s offensive output this year,” Ellis said. “She led us with big plays over the summer and can see the floor very well. She is incredibly intelligent and this flows into her basketball game. We will lean on Noemi to be a shooter and make key plays for us defensively.”
Junior Lilly Terry is back for her junior season. She averaged 3.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
“Lilly will give us size in the paint and help us to balance out our offensive play and be a threat both inside and out,” Ellis said. “Lilly will give us needed height and rebounding and create a mismatch for many of the teams we play.”
Breann Shumake is a senior who averaged 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game last year.
“Bre is an exceptional defender and creates a lot of problems for offensive players,” Ellis said. “She does a great job being a defensive specialist. She isn’t afraid to get on the floor and do the hard things.”
Laney Dorris is another returning senior who brings back averages of 7.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.2 assists per game.
“I look for Laney to show her varsity experience this year on both ends of the floor and be a leader in transition,” Ellis said.
Ariel Wilson earned all-conference and all-district honors after averaging 9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.9 assists per game as a junior.
“Ariel has a ton of athletic ability,” Ellis said. “Ariel will continue to be a key component in all things we do. Ariel’s game grew throughout the season, and I expect this to continue.”
Kylee Everts, Yeimi Lopez, Alyssya Ramirez, Baylon Malotte and Maddison Hollis also will be varsity factors this season.
Ellis on Everts: “Kylee is agile and quick. She isn’t afraid to do the hard things and is extremely coachable.”
Ellis on Lopez: “Yeimi did some great things on the floor last year, and she will be a great addition as a point guard.”
Ellis on Ramirez: “Alyssya is an incredible shot. We look to lean on her to hit some key shots for us in big moments.”
Ellis on Malotte: “Baylon has an incredible offensive talent. We will look to Baylon to help shoot us out of zone defenses.”
Ellis on Hollis: “Maddison Hollis is an extremely quick kid. She has the ability to be a spark for us to set the tempo.”
Sarcoxie opens the season on Nov. 21 at New Covenant.
“I would like to see our players see greater success each day than they did the day before,” Ellis said. “If we can continue to improve and be playing our best basketball come postseason time, I think we will be in great shape.”
