After graduating three starters, including two of the school’s top four all-time scorers in program history, the McAuley Catholic girls basketball team is relying on new faces to compete for an Ozark 7 Conference crown in 2022-23.
The Warriors graduated Kayleigh Teeter (1,383 points, 3rd all-time), Kennedy DuRuy (1,379 points, 4th all-time) and second-team all-conference post player Avery Eminger. Fortunately, McAuley does return four players with varsity experience for a foundation to build on as the season progresses.
“We will probably have some learning curves at the beginning of the year,” McAuley coach Mike Howard said. “That is to be expected when you lose the amount of talent we did. There’s no doubt our patience will be tested. I am confident, however, in our ability to adjust and grow as the season goes along. As long as they foster (our keys for success), we should be able to compete at a high level once districts arrive.”
Leading the list of returners for the Warriors are senior forward Lily Black and junior G/F Kloee Williamson. Williamson averaged 7.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.7 steals per game a season ago, while Black averaged 6.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks per contest. Also returning to the varsity squad this year is junior G Kendall Ramsey and junior F Kaitlyn Bates.
Expected to make an impact at the varsity level for the first time this year includes freshmen G Brooke Righter, F Keira Mays, G Vanessa Diaz and G Crystal Torres.
“Defense will be our strength this year,” Howard said. “If we can rely on our defense to create our offense, then that’s obviously the recipe for success. … Anytime you lose two of the top four scorers in program history, and the top three scorers from last season, offense becomes a focal point. We will need younger players to step up and fill those voids as best they can.”
While scoring will be something the Warriors focus on improving from the onset, Coach Howard believes much of the concern lies more on the mental side of the game for his group. He feels that once they trust themselves on the court, success will follow.
“Ways to improve starts with changing your mindset about scoring,” Howard said. “We aren’t going to be able to rely on Kayleigh or Kennedy to score most of the points anymore. Our returning lettermen will need to adjust and become more aggressive with the ball in their hands and look to score. The best way to score is forcing turnovers and making layups on the other end. The more we can stay out of the half-court offense, the better we will be.”
McAuley opens the season at home with a matchup against Liberal on Nov. 22.
