Jackson girls basketball team aiming high for 2015-16 season

Don't expect much change from the Jackson girls basketball team that went 19-10 and claimed its third district title in four years last season.

The Indians return all but two starters from last year for coach Tyler Abernathy's fifth season.

"I think we'll be really competitive," Abernathy said. "I think you'll see us play hard, I think you'll see us run the floor. I don't think we'll be much different than what we've been the last couple of years."

Jackson topped Northwest in the district championship last season before dropping its sectional game against Kirkwood.

"I'm excited about the energy. Our effort's been really, really good each day," Abernathy said. "I think our leadership is really good. I'm really excited about how things are going so far."

Abernathy wants his players to focus this year on controlling what they can control and continued improvement in all facets of the game.

He prides himself on having teams that are strong on defense, which will once again be expected.

"For us it's constantly trying to improve our level of communication while we're on the floor," Abernathy said, "and then it's just becoming more efficient on the offensive end and continuing to become a more fundamentally-sound defensive team and always working on becoming a better rebounding team. We're not the biggest team in the world, although we do have a couple of younger kids who give us some size, but we're always trying to become a better rebounding team."

Jackson's roster boasts 12 seniors and juniors, including nine that played on the varsity squad last year.

Seniors Cassidi Tomsu, Autumn Reid, Kayla Keith and Mallorie Maintz, and junior Rylee Stafford, who averaged 9 points and hit 24 3s as a sophomore -- all are back with starting experience and significant minutes.

The Indians will have to replace the 9.9 points of shooter Rachel Crites, who graduated. Crites knocked down 38 treys.

"I think it's helped them out because they kind of know what to expect a little bit more," Abernathy said. "Practices go a little bit smoother. They've ran the drills before. They understand the terminology. It just makes things click a little bit better and a little bit faster early on in the year."

Players to watch

Tomsu, Reid, Keith and Maintz will be called on to lead the Indians this season.

Tomsu, a Southeast Missouri State soccer commit, averaged 15.5 points and 3.8 assists per game to pace Jackson as a junior.

The 5-foot-10 Reid averaged 6.7 points and a team-high 5.1 rebounds last season.

"I think we're a well-rounded team, but obviously our four seniors are going to play a big role in our ability to be successful," Abernathy said. "Cassidi, Autumn, Kayla and Mallorie are going to play a big role into our season, and our kids know that we not only rely on them for the production on the floor but we rely on them for that senior leadership."

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Class 5 District 1

Conference

SEMO Conference

Head coach

Tyler Abernathy

(5th year)

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ROSTER

No. Player Year Ht.

3 Cassidi Tomsu 12 5-6

4 Krista Valentine 11 5-7

5 Grace Pehle 10 5-2

10 Autumn Reid 12 5-11

11 Deanna Mirly 11 5-7

12 Randa Norman 11 5-5

14 Nikki Sotak 11 5-9

15 Rylee Stafford 11 5-5

20 Abby Hermann 11 5-7

21 Mallorie Maintz 12 5-10

23 Krista Martin 11 5-4

24 Kayla Keith 12 5-10

25 Nicole Humphreys 11 5-10

30 Alexis Allstun 9 6-0

STARTERS GONE

Rachel Crites

McKinzie Scott

STARTERS BACK

Cassidi Tomsu

Rylee Stafford

Autumn Reid

Mallorie Maintz

Kayla Keith

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SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

11/24 Farmington 7:30 p.m.

11/28 @St. James 12:30 p.m.

11/30 Farmington Girls Tourn.

12/8 Naylor 6:30 p.m.

12/14 @Kennett 4:30 p.m.

12/20 Kelso Supply Holiday Classic

1/4 North County 7:30 p.m.

1/12 Webster Groves 6:30 p.m.

1/14 @Cape Central 7:30 p.m.

1/16 Parkway South 5:30 p.m.

1/21 Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.

1/25 Lindbergh Tourn.

2/4 @Poplar Bluff 7:30 p.m.

2/5 @Woodland 7:30 p.m.

2/8 @Sikeston 7:30 p.m.

2/11 Nerinx Hall 7 p.m.

2/13 Cor Jesu Academy 2:30 p.m.

2/20 Rock Bridge 2:30 p.m.

2/22 @Dexter 7:30 p.m.

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LAST SEASON

LEADERS

Points: Cassidi Tomsu (15.5 ppg)

Rebounds: Autumn Reid (5.1 rpg)

Assists: Tomsu (3.8 apg)

RECORD

18-10