by Mark Cheffey
The Marion County R-II girls basketball team is hopeful of improvement this season thanks to returning experience.
The Lady Mustangs lost one starter from last season due to graduation, so have four returning starters joined by three returning letter winners.
The 2023-24 Lady Mustang basketball team, coached by Ryan Wood, consists of (front, from left) Riley Holt, Mya Gottman, Shayleigh Whetstone, Maya Bock, (back) Samantha Kindhart, Aylah Pollard, Grace Jensen and Kennedy Hathaway. (Contributed photo)
“We are still what I consider a young team with only two seniors on the team this year,” said Coach Ryan Wood, referring to Mya Gottman and Shayleigh Whetstone.
The returning starters include: juniors, Riley Holt, a 5-4 point guard and Grace Jensen, a 5-11 post player and sophomores, Kennedy Hathaway, a 5-6 shooting guard and Aylah Pollard, a 5-8 forward.
Returning letter winners include: Whetstone and sophomores, Samantha Kindhart and Maya Bock.
“We believe we will have more success as far as the wins column, but right now our goals are to just get a little better every day, work on being great teammates, and keep a consistent effort throughout the season,” Wood said. “If we do these things, we really think we have the personnel to possibly make a run in a wide open district this year.
“The girls have had excellent attitudes thus far, and are eager to learn and improve their skills.”
The Lady Mustangs opened their season this past Friday at home against Paris.
This week, they are scheduled to host North Shelby, Tuesday.
