The McDonald County Mustangs and Lady Mustangs basketball teams gave fans a brief look at this year's teams at a scrimmage held during Winter Sports Mustang Pride Day Nov. 11 at MCHS.
Following introductions of team members from junior high wrestling, junior high boys and girls basketball and high school wrestling, the Lady Mustangs opened the scrimmages with a freshman/junior varsity eight-minute period followed by a split varsity squad.
Tricia Wattman scored two quick baskets to put the white team out to an early 4-0 lead, but the red team scored the final 10 points of the quarter for a 10-6 win.
"I thought we did some good things considering we haven't scrimmaged a lot," said coach Blake Short. "Defensively we played pretty well. We are trying to play a different style this year -- a little quicker and a little more man and aggressive defense. We saw some good things both offensively and defensively. I am excited about what the season holds."
The Lady Mustangs next action is a four-team jamboree set for Nov. 17 at Webb City High School.
McDonald County opens the scrimmages at 6 p.m. against Webb City. The Lady Mustangs will play Carl Junction at 7:30 p.m. and Mount Vernon at 8 p.m.
McDonald County opens its season for real at the Carl Junction Tournament set for Nov. 28 through Dec. 3.
Boys
First-year coach Kyle Fields held three eight-minute scrimmages including a varsity/junior varsity quarter won by a 7-2 score by the white team. Cole DelosSantos led all scorers with four points.
"We are a below average or average team right now," Fields said. "We only have one player that has had any varsity experience. We have good kids, but it is a slow process right now. Anytime you have a complete reconstruction of the coaching staff and a new system, that sets things back for a short time. We won't compromise things early, so we have to approach things in a way so we can achieve the things we want later in the season. The foundation has to be set first. We have potential and I am excited about that, but it is important that we take it one day at a time and concentrate on getting better every day."
The boys' team jamboree will be held Nov. 18 at Joplin High School. McDonald County faces Joplin at 6 p.m. followed by East Newton at 6:40 p.m. and Neosho at 7:20 p.m.
The Mustangs first regular season game is against Joplin Nov. 21 at Joplin High School. McDonald County then enters the Carthage Invitational set for Nov. 28-Dec. 3.
Sports on 11/17/2016