Scott City girls preview: Nanney emphasizes teaching in first season at Rams' helm

Scott City's girls have two returning starters but little experience beyond that for first-year coach John Nanney.

Nora Glasser and Kelley Hicks, both juniors, are Scott City's lone returning starters. Glasser is a 5-foot-10 post player and Hicks is a 5-8 forward.

"We're searching for who's going to be a leader, who's going to step up and take control of this," Nanney said.

The first task for Nanney -- in his first stint as a head coach after assisting for the Rams last season -- is to teach the fundamentals. Besides being the only returning starters, Glasser and Hicks are really the only players back with any varsity experience from last year.

Of the Rams' three seniors, not one was with the team last year. Scott City has two foreign exchange student seniors, both of which are relatively new to the sport of basketball.

Nanney said his main expectation heading into his first season is just getting his team to play fundamentally sound.

"Doing the fundamentals well," he said. "Being able to dribble well, pass well and working together. Just improving in every facet of the game."

If the Rams can combine their athleticism with strong fundamentals, their development could come quicker than expected. Nanney knows with such a young squad patience will be key.

"My girls play hard," Nanney said. "They're good athletes, but they're still learning to be good basketball players."

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Coach: John Nanney, first season

Assistant: Lynn Ward

Last season: 10-15

Conference: Scott-Mississippi Conference

Returning starters

Kelley Hicks 5-8 Jr. F

Nora Glasser 5-10 Jr. C

Rest of roster

Michaela Drury, 5-4, Sr., G; Ingunn Korshes, 6-1, Sr., C; Jola Skubis, 5-8, Sr., F; Darla Johnston, 5-5, Jr., G; Whitney Tapley, 5-7, So., F; Donielle Howell, 5-7, So., F; Becky Holder, 5-3, So., G; Emily Essner, 5-7, So., F

Schedule

Nov. 21 -- at Portageville, 6 p.m.

Nov. 28 -- Chaffee, 6 p.m.

Dec. 5-10 -- Chaffee tournament

Dec. 12 -- Caruthersville, 6 p.m.

Dec. 14-17 -- St. Vincent tournament

Dec. 15 -- at Malden, 6 p.m.

Dec. 19 -- at Crystal City, 5 p.m.

Jan. 2 -- at Woodland, 6 p.m.

Jan. 5 -- at South Pemiscot, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9-14 -- Scott-Mississippi Conference tournament

Jan. 16 -- Kelly, 6 p.m.

Jan. 19 -- Scott County Central, 6 p.m.

Jan. 23 -- at Charleston, 6 p.m.

Jan. 25 -- Ste. Genevieve, 6 p.m.

Jan. 30 -- East Prairie, 6 p.m.

Feb. 2 -- Sikeston, 6 p.m.

Feb. 6 -- Delta, 6 p.m.

Feb. 9 -- at Meadow Heighs, 6 p.m.

Feb. 13 -- at Valle, 6 p.m.

Feb. 16 -- Oran, 6 p.m.

Feb. 22 -- at St. Vincent, 6 p.m.