By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
The numbers have gone up for the girls basketball team at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School.
That’s compared to last season.
Unfortunately, the numbers have decreased since Cavalier coach Kami Main returned her questionnaire.
Call this edition of Cavaliers “The Magnificent Six.”
“Coach Elbert (Thomas Jefferson boys coach Cleo Elbert) was calling our girls the ‘Magnificent Seven.’ Now, we’re down to six,” Main said Wednesday.
Main, who’s in her first season as head coach after assisting Chris Myers in 2008-09, has two returning starters in 5-foot-10 junior Sally Currence and 5-6 classmate Cassie Zuehlke.
Completing the six-player roster — there were five last season — are 5-5 junior Carlie Fitzpatrick, 5-1 sophomore Rachel Belcher, 5-10 sophomore Shelby Smallwood and 5-5 freshman Samantha Mountjoy.
Main said that Stormie Chandler, another sophomore, has been relegated to the role of team manager rather than player because of back problems.
“We have a decent chance to win some games (after one victory last season),” Main said. “But just two returning players make us very inexperienced. It’s a big challenge.
“Team strengths will be unity and persistence,” Main said. “Obviously, lack of returning players and low numbers will be weaknesses.
“We have to remain healthy and keep the desire to improve to have a successful season,” Main said. “Constantly improving is another goal.
“Obviously, we want to increase our numbers,” Main said. “We have three eighth-graders who, hopefully, will push our numbers to nine next season.”
Main (formerly Weston) is a graduate of Baxter Springs High School and Missouri Southern State University. She was an infielder in softball for the Lions.
Main coached three years in junior high in the Cherokee (Kan.) system before helping Lynn Hartley a year in girls basketball at Baxter Springs High School.
The Cavaliers open their season in their tournament at 6 p.m. Tuesday against Jasper.
