With a new head coach and without last season’s top-2 leading scorers, the Park Hill girls’ basketball team looks different, but has the same expectations in 2022.
After spending the last three years as an assistant varsity and head junior varsity coach for Park Hill, Kennedi Dorrell has been promoted to the Lady Trojans’ head coach. Dorrell also worked for the girls’ basketball program at the University of Central Missouri before coming to Park Hill, and the Lady Trojan upperclassmen know her well.
“Most of the girls on the team played for me on the JV team at some point during their time at Park Hill, so they know and understand my high expectations,” Dorrell said. “I’m always talking to them about controlling their attitude and effort.”
Park Hill’s Lydia Keller has made five of her 11 3-point shots in the Lady Trojans’ opening five games this year.
Two of the Lady Trojans’ seniors Maddie Crump and Cali Richards – who were in the rotation and starting lineups last year – have been key contributors in all their years with Park Hill. Lauren Bogle is a transfer student who will fill out the Lady Trojans’ senior class.
“Maddie and Cali were freshmen my first year coaching, so it’s been fun to see them grow as players and people. Lauren is a great addition to our team, and we’ve enjoyed getting to know her so far,” Dorrell said.
The Lady Trojans have some talented sophomores who could be in and out of the starting lineup, and in the rotation. Guards Lydia Keller and Anaya Guess led Park Hill in scoring in the 55-44 season opener loss to Truman on Nov. 22 and Boston Wand saw varsity time down the stretch in her freshman campaign.
“Boston had some critical minutes in the district semifinal win last year against Staley; she has a great work ethic and positive attitude. I could see Lydia and Anaya continuing to lead us in scoring this year, so I’m excited to see them grow,” Dorrell said.
Junior guard McKenna Sosna also brings back experience, coming off a season where she made 24 total 3-pointers and averaged 6.3 points per game. With 2022 seniors Kennedy Townsend and Amaya Blake making up for 33.7 of the Lady Trojans 49 points per game last year, some other players are going to have to step up this year in their absence.
“After losing our two top scorers from last year, we have had to make some adjustments. I want Park Hill to be known as the team who works harder than any other team. We have to be disciplined and work hard towards the same goal in order to be successful this year,” Dorrell said.