BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
In stark contrast to the last few years, the Exeter girls basketball program has a standout 2024-2025 season.
Finishing at 12-15, the first double-digit wins campaign since 2018-2019, the Lady Tigers reached the Class 1, District 3 championship game and enjoyed many successes along the way.
Jennifer Young, Exeter girls basketball coach, said she would grade the season a B+.
“We had some great wins, but we also had some loses that we shouldn’t have,” she said. “We met all of our goals for the season and made it to a District Championship game.”
The Lady Tigers started on the slower side, winning only 7 of their first 10. However, to end the season, Exeter won 7 of 11.
“I would say mid-January into February we started seeing improvements in all the stats,” Young said. “[I’d liked to have seen more improvement in] being able to consistently run an offense.”
Two wins meant more than the others to the squad, including one victory where junior Shea Hilburn set a personal milestone.
“Shea scored her 1000th point in the Jan 31 game against McAuley,” Young said. “She needed 29 points and only scored 7 in the first half, so we didn’t think she was going to hit it. But, she came out from half time and went to work.
“Then, the second round of districts against Verona, we struggled a little the first half. But, in the second half, we came out and genuinely controlled the game and did all the right things at all the right moments.”
Exeter logged a 50-40 win over School of the Ozarks and 63-57 win over Verona to reach the title tilt, falling to Hurley, 48-29. Throughout the tournament, Young said the Lady Tigers were missing a couple key players — both their seniors.
“Senior Trinity Atkinson got hurt in the first half of the first round and was out the rest of the tournament,” Young said. “And, Senior Dawnee Sorensen was out the entire week. You could definitely tell it affected our scoring, and I fell like it affected our defense in the lane. It was definitely tough to play without them.”
Atkinson and Sorensen set to graduate, Exeter will return eight to the floor next season, nearly all of whom saw time on the floor in districts. Three juniors will aim to take over leadership roles in Hilburn, Honesty Hall and Gracie McCracken.
Young said she and the returners are already looking forward to 20252026.
“We met our goals and we had a successful season,” she said. “We are already excited for next year.”
