The Carl Junction girls basketball team definitely had a new look when it took the court for Tuesday night’s jamboree at Webb City High School.
Hit hard by graduation following a historic and memorable 2019-20 campaign, the Bulldogs have just one returning starter for the 2020-21 season.
“With just one starter back we obviously look a lot different and so our approach is that we have to continue to make progress,” Carl Junction coach Brad Shorter said. “We’re going to start one senior and the rest are underclassmen. That could be tough to start with, but our kids will work hard and get better. They know the tradition we have in place.”
The Bulldogs captured a Central Ozark Conference championship and finished 28-0 last year. Carl Junction had advanced to the Class 4 semifinals when the season ended in heartbreaking fashion, as the state basketball tournaments were canceled due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
Last year’s senior class played a part in four district championships and three Final Four berths.
With that, the Bulldogs must overcome the loss of a stellar senior class that was led by Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year Katie Scott, who has taken her talents to Grand Canyon University. In all, Carl Junction lost four starters—Scott, Dani Wrensch, Shila Winder and Taylor Hughes.
“They had talent, experience, heart and dedication,” Shorter said of last year’s seniors.
Carl Junction’s lone returning starter is 5-foot-6 sophomore point guard Destiny Buerge. As a freshman, Buerge averaged 11 points, 3.5 rebounds and three steals a game, earning honorable mention all-COC honors for her efforts.
Shorter expects Buerge to lead the way this winter.
“She has improved,” Shorter said. “She had a real good summer, with us and with her AAU team.”
Junior guard Jessa Hylton also returns with plenty of varsity experience. Hylton, who is coming off a stellar volleyball season, averaged 6.5 points and two steals last season. Carl Junction’s lone senior is Hannah Lee, a 6-foot post player.
Shorter expects Hylton and Lee to take on key roles this winter.
“The biggest thing early is getting our underclassmen like Destiny and Jessa to start leading,” Shorter said. “They need to help Hannah with that.”
Also back with prior varsity experience are junior guard Ellie Lawson and sophomore guard Hali Shorter.
Sophomore Allie Wrestler and freshmen Kylie Scott, Anna Burch and Hailey Merwin round out the roster. The 6-1 Scott is the younger sister of Katie and Megan Scott. Kylie Scott and Burch both saw significant playing time on Tuesday night.
Shorter noted he saw a lot of good things from his team during Tuesday’s scrimmages against Webb City, Mount Vernon and Walnut Grove.
“This was a good litmus test for us,” Shorter said. “It lets us see where we’re at and what we need to work on. We have a lot of work to do. But this is a new group and I think, if they stick with it, they can be pretty good.”
Shorter is assisted by Cory Kerbs, Mikaela Burgess, Nate Loewen and Karen Lee.
The Bulldogs will host the annual Carl Junction Classic beginning on Nov. 30.
