Dohleman leaves legacy at East Carter

ELLSINORE — The East Carter Lady Redbirds basketball program is in better hands thanks to senior Breanna Dohleman.

Dohleman was tabbed the Class 2 District 2 Player of the Year as well as making the Class 2 all-state team.

While those accolades address the on-court talent, it’s the intangibles the baller brought to the program that have truly resonated with her coach and counterparts.

“Breanna, off the court, is pretty quiet until you get to know her. She doesn’t typically speak out too much,” said Lady Redbirds head coach Angela Rodgers. “You will see her get mad before you hear it. But once you get to know her, she is pretty funny, pretty sarcastic once you get comfortable around her.”

The opposition throughout 2023-24 campaign did not find the senior funny at all, as Dohleman guided her team to a 22-6 record and a 2-1 record in postseason play.

The court general played in 27 games this year, averaging 18 points and seven rebounds per contest.

“On the floor, she isn’t too loud, vocally,” Rodgers said. “She leads by example. If things aren’t going her way, you can see it in her body language. She is tough. She is a really good teammate and a good player to coach.”

The younger Lady Redbirds have improved leaps and bounds, and one reason is Dohleman, who serves as an extension of the coaching staff.

A luxury unbeknownst to many coaches throughout the Show-Me State.

Added Rodgers: “She has a really close relationship with a lot of the younger girls. I think they see what she does in the off-time — she doesn’t just show up for games, or practices. She puts in a lot of time outside of that. She is really good at encouraging the other girls and taking them with her, like, if she is going to the gym.”

Getting the postseason recognition is nice, but Rodgers said the senior’s character and work ethic has been just as vital to her hardwood success.

“That has been huge. I am not sure if she was expecting that,” Rodgers said of the accolades. “I am not sure I was expecting that. Our district is really tough, a lot of great girls. And for her to come away with that, it just says a lot, it is deserved. Her getting that definitely says, Hey, I put in the time and effort. She definitely earned that.”

Dohleman beat out players from Alton, Greenville, Neelyville, Puxico, Thayer and Van Buren to make both postseason teams.

This makes six seasons at East Carter for Rodgers, and the veteran coach said of all the players she has had at her disposal, Dohleman is near the apex.

“Definitely towards the top. This program, it definitely has come around,” Rodgers said. “We have become successful the past couple of years, and it took the girls being committed to get to where we are. To get them to be successful on the court and to be recognized for that, I think it takes them putting in that extra effort.”