Chaffee girls basketball team hopes to repeat historic season

The Chaffee girls basketball team enjoyed a modicum of success the past few seasons, and head coach Darrin Priutt doesn't see any reason why this season should be any different.

Four starters return from a squad that finished 22-6 a year ago, losing to Neelyville in a Class 2 sectional to close the season.

With four starters back and experience and exciting young players packing the Red Devils' bench, Pruitt thinks one of his team's strengths will be found in the numbers.

"I think it's the overall package," he said. "There's not just one person that stands out. We have lots of contributors. And the freshmen class is super fast and they learn well. We will be playing deep into our bench."

Pruitt likes the fact his squad has been eager and anxious to get back on the court following a successful season that ended early in the postseason.

"Every day is just a day to get better," he said. "We say that every day before practice, today is just another day to get better. From now until the districts (playoffs), every game, every practice is just an opportunity to play that game."

Players to watch

Pruitt hinges his belief on the Red Devils' returning experience, led by seniors Julia Sutterfield and Lyndsey Koch.

"Julia's leadership is the real key," Pruitt said. "She takes charge out there on the court and handles everything. It's nice to see her leadership out there. She runs the floor and loves the job. And Lyndsey has the ability to talk to the team and motivate them. She's like our defensive specialist out there. People have a hard time shaking that kid."

Seniors Lyndsey Harrell and Carleigh Burnett, along with sophomore Kylie Wilhite, join Sutterfield as returning starters. But another potential force to be reckoned with is senior Taylor Kirn, a transfer from Jackson.

"I think she will help us athletically," Pruitt said. "She's a good leader and she moves good."

A newcomer to the varsity is sophomore Madison Kline, who Pruitt said worked hard to improve her game over the summer.

"I think she will play significant minutes for us," he said.

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Class 2 District 1

Conference

Scott Mississippi

Head coach

Darrin Pruitt

(5th year)

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ROSTER

No. Player Year

00 Bailey Wiseman 9

1 Bridgette Swinford 9

2 Madeline Hendrix 9

3 Julia Sutterfield 12

4 Nastassia Williams 11

5 Gracie Knutson 9

10 Kylie Wilhite 10

11 Lyndsey Koch 12

12 Alyssa Lunsford 10

21 Taylor Kirn 12

22 Carleigh Burnett 12

23 MaryBeth Knutson 10

24 Morgan Patterson 9

25 Lyndsey Harrell 12

33 Mattison Cline 10

34 Katie Glueck 10

STARTERS GONE

Jordan Pruitt

STARTERS BACK

Julia Sutterfield

Lyndsey Harrell

Carly Burnett

Kylie Wilhite

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SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

11/23 @East Prairie 7:30 p.m.

11/30 @Scott City 7:30 p.m.

12/7 Lady Devil Invitational

12/14 Scott Co. Central 7:30 p.m.

12/17 Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.

1/4 @Kelly 7:30 p.m.

1/7 South Pemiscot 7:30 p.m.

1/11 Scott-Mississippi Conf. Tourn.

1/19 Cape Central 7:30 p.m.

1/21 Campbell 7:30 p.m.

1/25 @St. Vincent 7:30 p.m.

1/26 @Oran 7:30 p.m.

1/28 Delta 7:30 p.m.

2/1 @Woodland 7:30 p.m.

2/4 @Portageville 7:30 p.m.

2/8 Meadow Heights 7:30 p.m.

2/10 @Charleston 7:15 p.m.

2/18 @Puxico 7:30 p.m.

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LAST SEASON

RECORD

22-6