A new coach and a bevy of returning players has Todd County Central thinking they will be in the mix for a 13th District girls’ basketball title come February.
Travis Lovan inherits a Lady Rebel team that finished 6-23 last year and notched just one win against Fourth Region competition. One of his first priorities has been to improve the conditioning of his team, which is heavy with guards.
Junior Amy Brumfield was the lone Lady Rebel to score in double figures last year (10.6 ppg.) and shot 35-percent from 3-point range. Senior Alexis O’Daniel (9.0 ppg.) hit the most 3-pointers for Todd County last year and fills the opposite wing from Brumfield, making the Lady Rebels a tough team to zone.
Senior Natalie Groves (4.7 ppg.) returns to run the point after her season ended with a knee injury after seven games last year. Paige Rager (6.6 ppg.) and Jasmine Mimms (1.1 ppg.) also return in the backcourt along with junior Kinley Reding (1.1 ppg.).
Bailey Conquest, who was the team’s leading rebounder (6.4 rpg.) and third leading scorer (7.8 ppg.) opted not to play her senior season to concentrate on volleyball. That leaves Michaela Robertson (6.6 ppg., 6.2 rpg.), Breona Rose (3 rpg.), and 6-foot freshman Makayla Artis to man the paint.
If the Lady Rebels buy into Lovan’s playing style and avoid the injury bug that has bitten them in recent years, they could be a player in the district race.
