Cottey basketball returns

By Joe Warren

Nevada Daily Mail

NEVADA, Mo. -- The Cottey Comets basketball team stepped back on the court Monday for the first time since finishing as the NJCAA Region 16 runners up in March.

The Comets started off with team pictures Monday at 3:30 p.m., then followed with about a one-hour practice.

Cottey is meeting every day for practice, going in the afternoons Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while getting a morning practice in Tuesday and Thursday.

Tuesday the team worked on basic agilities, some ball handling drills, and practiced going from transition to a set offense while working 5-on-5.

Cottey head coach Dave Ketterman said the first 10 practices or so are usually pretty rough, with the girls getting into shape and getting a feel for working together.

The Comets return all five starters this season, including Nevada High School product and NJCAA Division II All-American Lacy Leonard.

Also returning is Hume graduate and All-Region performer Kayla Orear.

Couple them with Kerri Shanks, Ashleigh Houdyshell and Maggie Wigness, and the Comets have five players with significant varsity experience.

"We have five returning starters and they have an advantage in knowing what we're doing," Ketterman said.

Also returning is Kelsey Bruce, meaning the five incoming Comets have six players to lean on.

Newcomers include guard Melissa Hedges, a Springfield native who went to Glendale High School.

Also signing on was Liz Wagoner, a 5-11 forward who played with Shanks at Crest Ridge High School in Centerview.

A pair of Swedish imports also look to make a big splash this season, as 6-1 post Sara Sellin has Ketterman salivating with the possibilities to go with Leonard and defensive specialist Houdyshell in the paint.

Sellin and fellow newcomer Elin Lindberg both come from Angleholm, Sweden. Lindberg is a 6-0 guard, who gives the Comets added height and quickness in the backcourt.

Dominica Sena, who is currently playing volleyball for Cottey, is also expected to join the team.

Shanks said the team has high expectations after last years' second place finish in the region.

"We can see how good we can be," Shanks said. "We want to make it all the way to Arizona (site of the NJCAA National Tournament)."