Tigers are athletic, deep in 2011-12

Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Pictured is the 2011-12 Nevada High School varsity girls basketball team. In front row, from left, are MacKenzie Pritchett, Tiffani Long, Megan Harper, Bailey Harbit, and Kelsey McCall. In back, from left, are Head Coach Brent Bartlett, Mikayla Bartlett, Tori Dahmer, Rilie Good, Ashley Shumaker, Nikiya Feezell, Morgan McNeley and Assistant Coach Jenny Allard.

By Jason Peake

Daily Mail Sports Editor

With a solid group of returning letterwinners and a promising bunch of underclassmen, Nevada High School girls basketball coach Brent Bartlett is definitely excited about the possibilities as the 2011-12 season gets under way.

Entering his 15th season as head coach, Bartlett has liked what he's seen thus far from his Tigers.

"I'm excited about who we have," Bartlett said. "The effort and attitudes have been tremendous. We've had great leadership, too. So I've been having fun."

Nevada has two returning starters from a team that went 12-12 in 2010-11.

Senior Tiffani Long is a 5-9 post player who averaged 13 points per game a year ago. Long is entering her third-straight year as a starter and also saw varsity action as a freshman.

Nevada's other returning starter is 5-11 junior post player Tori Dahmer. Dahmer scored nine points per game a season ago as a sophomore starter.

"They're two aggressive post players," Bartlett said. "They know how to play the game. They're good leaders and good teammates. It's neat to have those two back."

Bartlett has three other returning letterwinners on this year's roster -- 5-9 senior post player Bailey Harbit, 5-6 senior guard Megan Harper and 5-5 junior guard MacKenzie Pritchett. All saw action off the bench last year. Pritchett will start at the point guard position, Bartlett said. Harper is another experienced guard for the team.

"I know I can count on them to take care of the ball and I need both of them to be a rock for the newer players," Bartlett said.

Harbit saw a lot of varsity action last year, as well.

"Bailey is another player who is athletic and jumps well," Bartlett said. "She'll be another post player for us."

In addition to the returning letterwinners, the Tigers have four newcomers who should contribute at the varsity level right away, Bartlett said. Junior guard Ashley Shumaker, sophomore guard Kelsey McCall and freshmen guards Mikayla Bartlett and Morgan McNeley give the Tigers a lot of depth.

"Ashley is very athletic and jumps well," Bartlett said. "Mikayla (Coach Bartlett's daughter) is a freshman with a lot of basketball experience. She understands the game. And Morgan is so athletic and does so many good things for a team. And she's grown up around basketball, too. And Kelsey McCall is quick and athletic and passes the ball well."

Rounding out the varsity roster this year are sophomore Nikiya Feezell (5-7 F) and freshman Rilie Good (6-0 C).

Next, depth and team speed should be strengths of the Tigers this year. Bartlett said he expects nine girls to get regular playing time.

"Depth and quickness are two of our main strengths," Bartlett said. "At this point, our defensive intensity is there. We're going to have to rely on our defense because our offensive flow isn't there yet. But that will come."

As always, Bartlett's team will try to generate points with its defensive pressure.

"Hopefully our team depth will help to wear teams down in the fourth quarter," Bartlett said. "On offense we'll be looking to run and execute with some great inside/outside combinations."

As far as areas of concern, outside shooting and a lack of varsity experience by a lot of the players are things the Tigers must overcome.

Bartlett added his team's schedule is a tough one, too. The Tigers will clash with talented teams like Webb City, Carthage, Girard, Kan., Pleasant Hill, Springfield Central, Stockton, Skyline, Bolivar and Kickapoo.

"We don't mind playing that kind of schedule if it makes us better for districts," Bartlett noted.

Overall, Bartlett feels his athletic, deep team has the ability to have a fine season.

"I think we'll be very competitive and I just hope we continue to get better as the year goes on."

Nevada opens the season tonight at home against Archie, a program that has been a powerhouse in Class 2 in recent years.

The JV plays at 6, with the varsity to follow.

Bartlett said his team is ready to go.

"It will be interesting to see how it goes," he said. "I think the girls are ready to play somebody other than themselves."

Notes: Bartlett is 323-142 at Nevada. This is Bartlett's 18th year overall in coaching. Jenny Allard and Clay Wheeler are the team's assistant coaches.

2011-12 NHS GIRLS ROSTER

Seniors

Tiffani Long (5-10 F)

Bailey Harbit (5-9 F)

Megan Harper (5-6 G)

Juniors

Tori Dahmer (5-11 F)

MacKenzie Pritchett (5-5 G)

Ashley Shumaker (5-8 G)

Sophomores

Kelsey McCall (5-5 G)

Nikiya Feezell (5-7 F)

Freshmen

Mikayla Bartlett (5-6 G)

Morgan McNeley (5-6 G)

Rilie Good (6-0 C)

Head Coach: Brent Bartlett

Assistant: Jenny Allard

2011-12 SCHEDULE

11-22 vs. Archie

11-28 -- 12-3 at CJ tourney, TBA.

12-6 at Carl Junction

12-9 at Warrensburg

12-12 vs. Girard

12-15 vs. Monett

12-19 -21 at Harrisonville, TBA.

1-6 at Kickapoo

1-9 at Bolivar

1-13 vs. Mac County

1-16 at Skyline

1-20 vs. Carthage

1-23 -- 1-28 Nevada Tiger Classic, TBA.

1-30 vs. Neosho

2-3 vs. El Dorado Springs

2-6 vs. Spr. Central

2-10 at McDonald County

2-14 at Webb City

2-17 at Stockton

JV starts at 6, varsity to follow.

Home dates in bold.

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