This year's McDonald County Lady Mustangs basketball team will do an about face when compared to last year's.
Last season the Lady Mustangs were big and long. This year they are short and fast -- for the most part. With an influx of young guards plus returners from last year, in addition to speed at the post, look for McDonald County to press the pace of play.
McDonald County Lady Mustangs
Number ^Name ^Grade
1 ^Madison Hall ^11
2 ^Caitlynn Sedillos ^12
3 ^Sam Frazier ^10
5 ^Jordan Witt ^11
10 ^Cloee Helm ^11
11 ^Leslie Yousey ^10
12 ^Rita Santillan ^9
13 ^Meagan Mills ^11
15 ^Ragan Wilson ^9
22 ^Alexia Kitlen ^10
23 ^Tricia Wattman ^12
25 ^Mattie Leach ^10
30 ^Kenzie Stephens ^11
31 ^Karen Gasca ^10
33 ^Kylie Helm ^10
40 ^Aspen Bowman ^11
42 ^Madison Mitchell ^12
50 ^Darla Igisomar ^10
Game Schedule 9th-12th Girls Basketball
Date^Opponent^Level^Location^Time
Dec. 8^ Southwest High^ Var/J.V. ^Away ^6 pm
Dec. 13^ St. Mary’s Colgan ^Var/J.V. ^Home ^6 pm
Dec. 15^ Baxter Springs ^Var/J.V. ^Away ^6 pm
Dec. 19^ Mount Vernon ^9th^Away ^5:30 pm
Dec. 28-30^Neosho Tournament ^Varsity ^Away ^TBA
Jan. 5^ Lamar ^Var/J.V. ^Away ^6 pm
Jan. 6^ Aurora High^Var/J.V. ^Home ^6 pm
Jan. 9^ Cassville High^9th/JV/Var. ^Home^5 pm
Jan. 12^ Seneca ^Var/J.V. ^Away ^6 pm
Jan. 16^ Nixa ^Var/J.V. ^Home ^6 pm
Jan. 19^ Carthage High ^9th/JV/Var. ^Away ^5 pm
Jan. 24^ Webb City ^ Var/J.V. ^Home ^5 pm
Jan. 27^ Neosho High ^Var/J.V. ^Away ^5 pm
Jan. 28 ^Cassville JV Festival ^JV^ Away ^TBA
Jan. 30-Feb. 4^ Seneca Invitational ^Varsity ^Away ^TBA
Feb. 6^ Cassville High ^9th^Away ^6 pm
Feb. 10 ^Providence ^Varsity ^Away ^6 pm
Feb. 13^ East Newton ^Var/J.V. ^Home ^6 pm
Feb. 16^ Mount Vernon ^9th/JV/Var. ^Home ^6 pm
Feb. 21^ Monett High ^9th/JV/Var. ^Away ^6 pm
Feb. 23^ Carl Junction ^Var/J.V. ^Home ^6 pm
Feb. 27-March 3 ^Districts ^Varsity ^TBA ^TBA
"I am extremely excited about this season," said coach Blake Short, who enters his fourth season as head coach after being an assistant for five seasons. "We have a younger team that will play a little bit different style than we have the past couple of years. If we continue playing good defense and strengthen our rebounding, we have a great chance to be successful. This team's defense will set the tone for everything we do. We are quicker than we have been in all five positions. We have some new players that will really help on both ends of the floor. I am excited to see what the season holds for us."
Short has a career record of 40-40 after the Lady Mustangs finished 4-22 last year.
Short greeted three returning starters and one other returning letterman for the 2016-2017 campaign. Leading the way is Tricia Wattman, a 5-11 senior post player who can run the floor. Wattman averaged eight points a game while guards Madison Hall and Cloee Helm averaged six and five points, respectively. Also back are senior forward Madison Mitchell and senior guard Caitlyn Sedillos.
"Tricia has really developed and I expect big things from her this year," Short said. "Madison Hall can shoot and handle the ball very well. Cloee is a knock-down shooter and great defender. Madison Mitchell is a forward who can also add some shooting while Caitlyn can score and defend."
Leading the newcomers to the varsity team are junior Meagan Mills and freshman Ragan Wilson.
"Meagan is a ball handler and shooter who will add to our depth," Short said. "Ragan is a true point guard. She can make a lot of things happen.
Also new to the Lady Mustangs is Leslie Yousey, a transfer from Wyandotte, Okla.,who is expected to battle for playing time.
McDonald County opened season on Nov. 28 in the first round of the Carl Junction Tournament. Following the tournament finals on Dec. 3, the Lady Mustangs travel to Washburn on Dec. 8 to face Southwest High School before returning home for their home opener on Dec. 13 against St. Mary's Colgan.
Other tournaments include the Neosho Holiday Classic (Dec. 28-30) and the Seneca Invitational (Feb. 4).
McDonald County hosts the Class 4 District 12 Basketball Tournament beginning Feb. 27.
Sports on 11/30/2016