June 13, 2009 11:29 pm
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Whitney Edie, Exeter
6-1 sr. P
Statistics: Career numbers for the four-time Ozark 7 Conference player of the year include 2,792 points and 1,388 rebounds. Senior averages for the all-stater include 26 points, 13 rebounds and 2.7 assists. The repeat all-area choice shot 47.7 percent overall from the field, 33 from 3 and 74.6 from the foul line. The Tigers (30-1 overall, 12-0 Ozark 7) outscored their opponents 59.6-42 en route to the MSHSAA Class 1 championship. Edie will appear in a third all-star game on July 11 at College of the Ozarks in the annual Gerald A. Pilz & Friends All-Star Games. She played in the Lions District 26-M6 Twin Classic in Joplin last Saturday night and the first Missouri Challenge presented by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association in Columbia on May 29-30.
Coach Jason Cole says: “Whitney (who’ll play for NCAA Division I Missouri State in Springfield) proved to everyone that she’s one of the elite players. The enrollment of the school doesn’t necessarily matter. She was unselfish — I believe she led us in assists as a sophomore and junior — and her No. 1 goal always was to help the team advance as far as it possibly could go.”
Lisa Elmer, St. Mary’s-Colgan
5-9 sr. F
Statistics: The four-year stalwart, an all-area repeater, finished with career totals of 1,169 points and 641 rebounds in helping the Panthers reach the Kansas Class 2A Tournament the past three seasons. She averaged 14 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3 blocked shots as a senior (leading the team to duplicate her feats as a sophomore and junior). The Pittsburg State signee added 3.2 assists and 2.5 steals. Elmer, unanimous all-CNC League, helped the Panthers finish 21-3 overall and 7-1 in the league (second to Girard) as a senior. Colgan lost 46-36 to Salina Sacred Heart in the first round of 2A.
Coach Megan Simmons says: “Lisa, an outstanding athlete, was a great leader. She could take charge when needed even as a freshman. A lot of teams geared game plans toward stopping her. She was thrilled just to win the game. That was the most important thing. You probably thought of Lisa Elmer when thinking Colgan basketball during her career.”
Macy Gibson, Afton
5-10 sr. P
Statistics: Repeater Gibson, an all-stater, piled up 1,520 points and 976 rebounds during her career. She averaged 20.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.5 steals during her senior campaign. The Eagles, 23-4 overall and unbeaten in the Lucky ‘7’ Conference in 2008-09, were 71-12 overall the last three seasons. Gibson scored 10 points for Small East in its 78-72 loss to Small West in the OGBCA All-Star Games last Saturday at Weatherford High School.
Coach Gerald Sergeant says: “She was a four-year stalwart. She never had an easy shot this season because of the defenses designed to stop her. We threw the ball to her when we needed to get the ball down the floor against the press. She and Ashley (Carroll), our point, were effective leaders on the court. Both players have signed to play basketball at Northwestern Oklahoma State (of Alva).”
Kaitlin Jaeger, Webb City
6-0 soph. P
Statistics: Jaeger, an all-area repeat choice, achieved all-state honors in helping the Cardinals (26-5 overall) finish second in the Missouri Class 4 Tournament. They were 5-2 for second place behind Class 5 champion Nixa in the Central Ozark Conference Large Division. Jaeger was the league player of the year. Jaeger, who shot 71.9 percent from the field and 74.2 from the foul line, averaged 21.8 points and 10 rebounds. She was a stout defender, too, with totals of 77 blocked shots and 56 steals.
Coach Brad Shorter says: “I was amazed at some of the things Kaitlin would do during a game or practice. She was so versatile. She possessed the great attitude. Our team chemistry had a lot to do with our success and she was a part of that. She made everyone around her better ... that’s the sign of a true star. She should reach 2,000 career points next season.”
Hannah Ketterman, Frontenac
5-7 sr. G
Statistics: Unanimous all-CNC League performer served as point guard for the 17-6, 6-2 Raiders. She was a four-year starter with 1,264 points. Her senior averages — she was a captain — included 20.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.5 steals. She shot 83 percent from the foul line. She’s signed with Labette Community College of Parsons.
Coach Jeremy Rakes says: “She was an outstanding all-around player and a great leader on the court. She constantly was pushing herself as well as her teammates.”
Jamie Nash, Aurora
5-3 sr. G
Statistics: Nash, a repeat selection on The Globe elite, and classmate Kenzie Lauffer were unanimous all-Big 8 as Aurora finished 20-8 overall and 7-0 in the conference in Kris Besch’s first year as head coach. Nash averaged 15.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 4 steals. Nash, an outfielder, has signed to play softball at Nebraska-Omaha of the MIAA.
Coach Besch says: “Jamie was a tremendous competitor. It didn’t matter whether it was a game of cards or basketball. She gave her all. Jamie, a four-year starter, and Kenzie (Lauffer) both surpassed 1,000 career points. Jamie was a leader on the court which stemmed from that competitiveness. She really wanted other people to contribute.”
Margaret Pogue, Grove
6-0 sr. P
Statistics: Pogue, an all-Verdigris Valley Conference performer, averaged 13.4 points and 8.2 rebounds as the Ridgerunners finished 14-12 overall and 6-6 in the VVC. She shot 54.7 percent from the field and 73.2 from the charity stripe in her second season as a starter. She blocked 24 shots.
Coach Richard Bassett says: “She was a true post player and probably went to her (unnatural) left more than to the right. She got up and down the floor. She had great hands and good feet. You couldn’t ask for a better kid. Academically, she scored very high and will attend Oklahoma State.”
Lorelei Snow, Neosho
5-8 sr. G
Statistics: Snow, an all-Large Division choice in the Central Ozark Conference, tied for the team scoring lead with a 14.2-point average. The Class 5 Wildcats, who won their first district championship, finished 21-7 overall and 3-4 in the COC Large. Snow added averages of 6.4 assists and four steals. She sank 35 percent of her treys and 64 percent of her foul shots. Snow has signed with MIAA member Southwest Baptist of Bolivar, Mo.
Coach Grant Young says: “Lorelei, after the injury to her sister (Savannah), moved from shooting guard to point guard. I’m sure she matured a lot having to go through three head coaches in four years and learning those systems. She ran the floor very well and controlled the team. She scored when needed and also found other players.”
Savannah Snow, Neosho
5-8 sr. G
Statistics: Snow, injured for the second straight season during the Wildcats’ annual Holiday Tournament, helped Neosho win nine of its first 10 games by averaging 13.1 points and 4.2 assists. Savannah, despite the injury, signed a scholarship agreement to continue her career with twin Lorelei at Southwest Baptist.
Coach Young says: “It was a pleasure to coach her. It would have been great to have had her for two full seasons, not only because of playing ability, but because of the character she displayed.”
Jaimee Shields, McDonald Co.
6-0 sr. P
Statistics: Shields, who earned all-Southwest Conference honors as a sophomore and junior for Sue Buttram, was a member of the Class 4 District 11 all-tournament team as a senior for coach LaDonna McClain’s independent Mustangs. Shields, who surpassed 1,200 career points, logged averages of 15.6 points and 9.2 rebounds as a senior. She added 78 blocked shots and 38 steals.
Coach McClain says: “Jaimee was a hard worker who took on more of a leadership role this season on and off the floor. She continued to improve during the season and obviously has better years ahead (beginning with nearby Crowder College of Neosho). I’m so proud of her for what she was able to accomplish as a senior.”
Denise Taylor, Carthage
6-0 sr. P
Statistics: Taylor, a Large Division all-star in the Central Ozark Conference, averaged 14.9 points and 9.4 rebounds as a senior for the 17-9 Tigers. She totaled 40 blocked shots and shot 53.9 percent from the floor. Taylor, a right-handed pitcher who signed to play softball at NCAA Division II Drury University of Springfield, finished with four career records in basketball — 1,492 points, 1,015 rebounds, 225 blocked shots and 584 field goals. Season records include rebounds (338) and blocked shots (82). She has single-game records for rebounding (21) and blocks (7).
Coach Bob Waggoner says: “I can’t imagine anyone working harder to improve her skills. Also, Denise (another all-area repeater) faced a lot of two and three people guarding her during a game. People knew our offense was inside-oriented and still she averaged nearly 15 points. She was a great role model. I believe she has the ability to play basketball somewhere in college. We’ll see what happens.”
Carly Twarog, Girard
5-6 jr. G
Statistics: Twarog, a two-time all-stater, helped the Class 4A Trojans achieve a memorable 2008-09 season. They were unbeaten in the CNC League for the third year in a row (head coach Brad Herlocker has yet to lose in the league), won their first sub-state championship and attained 20 wins for the first time. Twarog, an all-area repeater, paced the Trojans (20-4, 8-0), who lost 62-41 to Cheney in the first round of 4A, in scoring (14.7) and rebounding (6.1).
Coach Herlocker says: “She was our scoring leader for the third year in a row and the best shooter I’ve coached. She always has been a gym rat ... constantly working on her game. She deserves all the honors and praise that she has received. She’s put in the time.”
Kayln Vlasin, Neosho
6-2 soph. P
Statistics: Vlasin, an all-stater, shared the team scoring lead with Lorelei Snow at 14.2. She also paced the Wildcats in rebounding (7.2), free throw percentage (68) and 76 blocked shots. She shot 48 percent from the field.”
Coach Young says: “Kayln, who has a tremendous amount of potential, already is outstanding in both basketball and volleyball. Her athleticism showed on the inside with her ability to score, rebound and block shots.”
Shelby White, Purdy
5-8 soph. F
Statistics: White’s contributions helped the young Eagles finish 20-7 overall and 9-3 in the Ozark 7 Conference. They placed second on their floor to Miller in the Class 2 District 10 Tournament. White averaged 16.4 points — runner-up on the ballclub to freshman standout Addy Roller (19.3) — 10 rebounds and 3.7 steals. She shot 55 percent from the field and 74 percent from the foul line.
Coach Kelly George says: “Shelby, who started as a freshman, was very aggressive on both offense and defense. She jumped very well. She was quick and a versatile player. All she cared about was winning.”
Kristina Willis, Pittsburg
5-11 jr. P
Statistics: Willis, an all-Southeast Kansas League selection, shot 55 percent from the field and 68 from the foul line in averaging 19.1 points for a 7-14 edition. She paced the Purple Dragons in two more categories — rebounds (a 7.7 average) and a total of 38 steals.
Coach Tom Hubbard says: “Kristina is unselfish and so self-motivated. I compare her attitude and work ethic to a Kerry Meier or Ty Siam (former Pittsburg High School athletes). She always was looking to improve herself and her teammates. We’re working to improve her outside scoring and ball-handling skills. I can see her becoming our point guard at times next season.”
Hannah Wilkerson, Miller
5-7 jr. G
Statistics: Wilkerson sparked the Cardinals to records of 24-6 overall and 9-0 in the Spring River Valley Conference in earning player of the year honors. She averaged 32.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.5 steals. She shot 50 percent overall from the field, 45 percent from 3 and 86 from the foul line. The Cardinals lost to eventual champion Sparta in the sectional round of Class 2.
Coach Brandon Weiss says: “Hannah, who’s on track to break the all-time prep scoring record in Missouri (after pouring in 975 last season), just kept improving. She tried to improve parts of her game where she still saw flaws. Last year, for example, she improved her free-throw shooting by 10 percent. She’s working on different types of offensive moves for next season.”
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