By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Picking a starting lineup isn’t a problem for Thomas Jefferson girls basketball coach Chris Myers.
That’s the least of Myers’ worries.
Myers has just five players entering the Cavaliers’ opener in their Classic tonight at 6 against second-seeded Southwest.
“Today, in practice,” Myers said Monday, ”we plan to go over sets or schemes for when we have only four players. I’m sure it’ll happen at some point in a game this season.
“We need to take care of ourselves (physically) and maintain a positive attitude,” Myers said. “We have to play with intelligence. Obviously, it will be a challenge.”
Myers has two full time starters returning in 5-foot-8 seniors Raychel Glassman and Cheyenne Hill. Sally Currence, a 5-9 sophomore with starting experience, is the third letter-winner.
Jessica Taylor, a 5-8 senior transfer from Carthage, and 5-7 sophomore Cassie Zuehlke round out the players.
Hill logged averages of 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals last season. Glassman contributed 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Currence added averages of 4 points, 3 boards and 2 steals.
“Hill, our most experienced player, will play the point,” Myers said.
Myers noted that Thomas Jefferson finished with eight players in 2007-08.
“We had five or six possible players transfer (before this season),” Myers said. “I’ve left the door open (for players still to come out and help).
“I’ve never seen, or heard, of any team opening the season with just five players,” Myers said.
“Our players understand the situation. They’ve been positive each day. They’ve done what we’ve asked.
“The season will be a success if we make it through,” Myers said.
Myers, a graduate of Monett High School and Missouri Southern, is in his second season at Thomas Jefferson after a pair at McAuley Catholic.
Myers, who’s assisted by Kami Main, guided Class 1 Thomas Jefferson to records of 10-12 overall and 3-8 in the Ozark 7 Conference last season.
Sports
Five players filling roster for Cavaliers
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
