By Chris Parker
Buffalo girls basketball finished 4-22 in head coach David Argo’s first season at the helm.
The Lady Bison enter this season with more familiarity in Argo’s system.
“I have a group of players that have taken to the style and brand I want to play with,” Argo said. “Things take time, and they know I coach with expectations and goals. We have to be able to handle the high and lows of a long season.”
A pair of double-digit scorers return in junior Kenzie Wilson and senior Leah White.
Wilson averaged 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game as a sophomore.
“Kenzie is one of our floor captains,” Argo said. “She has to carry many identities for this team to thrive. She has always accepted new roles if the team needed her to do so. She runs the point for us, then turns around and plays post on defense. Kenzie is an all-around athlete, and I know she is built for a great year.”
White, an all-state volleyball player, scored 16.1 points while pulling down 6.4 rebounds per game.
“Leah is another high-quality player that we lean on to carry the load for us,” Argo said. “Leah plays all five positions for us and loves to start our transition offense off a defensive rebound. She can shoot from deep, which helps open lanes for other players to create their own opportunities.”
Addie Armstrong returns for her senior season after averaging 4.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game last season.
“Addie is our high-volume energizer on the defensive end,” Argo said. “She has a knack to be everywhere at once, and our team feeds off her effort.”
Grace Batt rounds out the returning seniors. She scored 2.1 points per game with 3.1 rebounds per game last season.
“Grace has had a large gap in her playing career, but she stepped in on day one and became a major player for this team last year,” Argo said. “She is ready for a breakout season on both ends.”
Sophomores Dayva Rodriguez and Lexee Frazier both saw varsity action as freshmen.
“Dayva is another athletic player who is ready to step into a larger role for us. She has all the tools to do so, and we want to her drive take her to where we think she can go,” Argo said. “Lex is going to be asked to be more of a post presence for us. We need her to be strong around the rim and build her confidence so she can excel once districts come.”
Freshmen Mattie Darnell and McKenna Reed will look to make immediate varsity impacts.
Argo on Darnell: “Mattie is a very athletic player and will be thrown into the fire day one. She brings a lot of energy in our practices, while having an extremely high ceiling. Mattie will be asked to fill all voids that we need, while she learns the system, and her role for us. We have a lot of faith in her, and we are excited to see her grow into the player we need her to be in the future.”
Argo on Reed: “Kenna is another high energy player that will be thrown right into the mix on day one. Kenna has to be a two-way player for us. We feel she has a tremendous upside and we are excited to see her growth. We are extremely excited about what Mattie & Kenna bring to this team. Both are coachable, hardworking, and want to be better players.”
Buffalo opens the season Dec. 1-6 at the Clinton Tournament.
