Kelly girls preview: Team philosophy adds up to wins for Kelly's girls

The Kelly girls program has quite a tradition going, and it's based on a simple philosophy.

As long as the Hawks continue to adhere to that philosophy -- which coach Rod McQuerter anticipates -- the victories should keep coming.

"Our philosophy is the same every year," McQuerter said. "Have a positive attitude, play hard and play as a team.

"We don't focus on wins and losses. We tell the girls if they play hard, everything will take care of itself."

Even without focusing on wins, the Hawks have piled up plenty of them in recent years, going 90-23 the past four seasons.

Last season Kelly was 24-5, winning its second district title in three years before losing to Doniphan in the Class 3 sectional round.

Although the Hawks lost their leading scorer -- Kelly Essner, the Southeast Missourian player of the year -- they return three starters in senior center Mindy Robert, junior guard Brittany Ponder and sophomore forward Kayla Cissell.

Several others who saw varsity action return from a 20-player roster that features just three seniors, including Leigh Ann Buchheit, who played quite a bit last season.

"We're very young, but we've always had great senior leadership and we've got that again," McQuerter said. "I expect to use a lot of players, like we always do, and our main focus is teamwork."

Overall, Kelly has 30 girls in the program, which makes McQuerter very happy.

"We're real excited with the interest in the program," McQuerter said.

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KELLY GIRLS

Coach: Rod McQuerter, seventh season

Assistants: Tim Scifres, John Merrick

Last season: 24-5, lost to Doniphan in Class 3 sectional

Conference: Scott-Mississippi Conference

Returning starters

Mindy Robert 5-10 Sr. C

Brittany Ponder 5-7 Jr. G

Kayla Cissell 5-9 So. F

Rest of roster

Leigh Ann Buchheit, 5-10, Sr., G; Amber Dirnberger, 5-5, Sr., G; Lauren Gean, 5-9, Jr., F; Nikki Weiny, 5-8, Jr., G; Summer Proctor, 5-6, Jr, G; Ashley Vetter, 5-8, Jr., G; Katlin Vetter, 5-7, Jr., G; Ashley Nall, 5-8, Jr., F; Kourtnie Smith, 5-11, Jr., C; Sarah Ruff, 5-8, So., G; Katee Moore, 5-8, Fr., G; Debra Hall, 5-11, Fr., C; Tara Johnson, 5-8, Fr., G; Brittany Brantley, 5-5, Fr., G; Ashley Flahardy, 5-9, Fr., F; April Rocket, 5-9, Fr., F; Lela Deason, 5-7, Fr., G

Schedule

Dec. 1 -- Chaffee, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 5-10 -- Chaffee tournament

Dec. 12 -- at East Prairie, 6 p.m.

Dec. 19-24 -- at Twin Rivers tournament

Jan. 5 -- at Sikeston, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9-14 -- Scott-Miss. tournament

Jan. 16 -- at Scott City, 6 p.m.

Jan. 18 -- Dexter, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 -- at St. Vincent, 6 p.m.

Jan. 30 -- Charleston, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 -- at Neelyville, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 -- at Poplar Bluff, 6 p.m.

Feb. 9 -- at New Madrid County, 6 p.m.

Feb. 13 -- Scott Couty Central, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 16 -- Delta, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 20 -- at Portageville, 6 p.m.

Feb. 23 -- at Oran, 5 p.m.