The Lady Tigers who saw their amazing string of state tournament appearances that included four gold balls in the mid-2010’s snapped two years ago but made it back to the dance last year, are faced with a lot of questions as they enter the new season. They have a handful of full or part-time starters back but not an established go-to player as they have in the past.
“Our season will hinge on how quickly our young kids can adapt to varsity competition and how well our returning players step up,” said coach Scott Lowe.
Among those players that Lowe will need to step into the spotlight are a pair of senior guards Ali Peters (5-7) and Miley Wafford (5-7) both who averaged five points a game last year.
“Miley is a two-year starter and she is a gamer. She’s a three-sport athlete that’s a more of a silent leader. Her work ethic sets the example of what’s expected for Lady Tigers basketball,” said Lowe. “Ali, a more vocal voice, will definitely be an impact player who is taking a vocal role nurturing our younger players. Her encouragement is helping with a faster development of the many of the kids on our team.”
Points in the paint will come from the productivity of Amelia Price (5-11, So.) who put in just over five points a game and junior Brenlee Moore (5-8, Jr.) who earned the coaches praise for her courage.
“Brenlee tore her ACL early in her sophomore year and has rehabbed incredibly to return this year. She was named our model athlete last year because of her character on and off the court. She embodies everything we want our program at Fort Gibson to be about,” said Lowe.
Inexperience makes up the rest of the Lady Tiger roster with juniors Avery Abbott, Alexa Ragsdale, Trista Moore and Madi Barrett as well as freshmen Avery Skaggs, Bristol Green, Jayda Wood and Zoe Hyde.
