A dozen wins and a district tournament victory are the main goals for this year’s Exeter girls basketball team.
Jennifer Young, Lady Tigers’ coach, said with a trio of returners and three more players with significant minutes, Exeter is poised to improve.
“I think we already know each other well and already have a lot of chemistry,” she said. “Last year our goal was 10 wins, so I’d really like to have a 12-win season. Also, I would like to have a first-round win at Districts. We did not have a very good showing at districts last year.”
The Lady Tigers’ 2023-2024 campaign, at 9-12, was a backand- forth affair. A trio of wins were sandwiched by two trios of losses at the start of the season, then eight win-loss games in a row and two wins and two losses to end the season. The Lady Tigers suffered a 45-38 loss to McAuley Catholic in the opening round of the Class 1, District 5 tournament.
Returning starters for the Lady Tigers include senior center Dawnee Sorensen, senior shootingguardTrinityAtkinson and junior shooting guard Shea Hilburn. Sophomore shooting guards Beatriz Alcaraz, Jaylee Hawkins and Honesty Hall also bring in significant experience.
The squad last season averaged 44 points per game, 37 rebounds per game, 11 steals per game and 10 assists per game, and they shot 40% from the free throw line.
Newcomers include Kahlan Fuller and Gracie McCracken, who played junior varsity and a little varsity minutes last year.
“I think they will both see a lot more varsity minutes this year,” Young said. “I think Gracie will add some quickness to our press and help us a lot on the defensive side of things. Kahlan will be playing a small forward position for us.”
Young said playing smarter this season will be a key to success, as will a focus on the back end of the floor.
“Our biggest struggle last year was foul trouble,” she said. “We need to improve defensively.”
The Lady Tigers started the season with a loss at East Newton, 55-23, and home opening win over Thomas Jefferson, 66-29. Exeter went 0-2 in the Crane Lady Pirate Tournament last week, falling to Norwood, 84-36, and Pierce City, 65-49.
Exeter has 16 total games this season and only 6 at home. The Lady Eagles next host Sarcoxie on Thursday.
