Joplin graduated four integral seniors from last year’s team, but the Eagles return two starters and several others who boast varsity experience and are ready to improve off last year’s record in head coach Brad Cox’s second year at the helm.
“I am extremely excited for the upcoming season,” Cox said. “We have had an amazing offseason and we look to apply our hard work to the floor this winter.”
Joplin graduated decorated point guard Brynn Driver as well as SG Isabella Yust, F Serafina Auberry and F Jill McDaniel from last year’s squad.
The Eagles return sophomore guard Alissa Owens and junior G Riley Kelly to the starting lineup as the anchors of the team this season.
“Alissa had an amazing offseason,” Cox said. “She has the ability to score off the dribble and hit knockdown shots.
“Riley is an extremely hard worker and she has the ability to score both inside and outside. She is always willing to make the extra-effort plays, taking charges and getting off the floor. We will look for her leadership this season.”
Bringing back always-important varsity experience is senior F Bailey Owens, senior G Ashley Phillips, senior F Claire Jasper, junior G Isabella Cruse, junior F Aiyana Kroll and sophomore F Ava Wolf.
“I expect us to have a very good season and to be competitive in all games,” Cox said of his team. “The amount of hours that our players and staff have put in this offseason will only benefit us in being competitive this season.”
Deepening the rotation, Joplin welcomes sophomore guards Solei Parker and Brylee Strickland.
“Solei had had an amazing offseason and we look for her to contribute a lot on the varsity this season. She is a skilled ball handler and has worked extremely hard on her shot in the offseason.
“Brylee has improved a lot in the offseason and she is one of the fastest girls in our area. We look for her to help us on the defensive end to create steals and to use her quickness to get to the basket.”
Joplin is also adding junior G Kelly Kumbier and senior F Megan Meeker to the varsity level this year.
Heading into Coach Cox’s second season, he has been impressed with the effort and amount of work his team has been putting in during the offseason and in the early portions of the preseason. With his biggest goal for the team being a complete culture change from year’s past, saying he is encouraged by the results thus far would be an understatement.
“We are developing a culture of hard work and competitiveness,” Cox said. “Our girls will practice hard and play even harder every game. As a program, we have been talking about having a growth mindset and growing as individuals and as a team everyday. My belief is that if we continue these traits our program will grow at a rapid rate.”
Joplin opens the season on the road, traveling to Mount Vernon on Tuesday.
“The key for success for us this year is to be tough on defense,” Cox said. “I think we have made growth in our shooting which will help us score, but I feel like the biggest growth has come with our defense. The girls have really bought into our defensive philosophy and we hope to see it translated onto the floor this winter.”
