Shannon Gaines takes helm of girls program

Shannon Gaines is in his first season as the head coach at New Salem Baptist Academy, but he's certainly no stranger to the girls program.

Gaines assisted his father Jerome the past two years; now Jerome is helping out his son.

"I think it's going to work out well," Shannon Gaines said.

Things should work out well all around for New Salem, which went 19-10 and finished second in last year's Missouri Christian School Activities Association Class 2A tournament after winning the Class 1A state title the previous season.

Four starters return in 5-foot-6 sophomore guard Sarah Green, 5-8 senior forward MacKenzie Jones, 5-10 senior center Holly Jordan and 5-6 freshman guard Laura Poole. All are three-year regulars.

Green averaged about 20 points per game last season while Jones was at about 10. Jordan and Poole both chipped in close to eight points per contest.

Also back from a year ago is 5-6 freshman guard Celsey Cook. Newcomers are 5-7 junior forward Amber Flanner, 5-5 senior guard Ellie Zadik and 5-5 seventh-grade guard Celsey Barlow.

New Salem won its season opener by 17 points over Pathway Christian Academy from Blytheville, Ark.

"I think we'll have a good team," Gaines said. "They've just been around it so long and have had so much playing time."

Added Gaines: "We really concentrate on playing good defense and rebounding. That's what's pretty well been the key for us the last few years."