The difficulties coaching at a small, private high school are no secret to Stephanie Jackson.

Jackson returns to head the girls basketball program at Eagle Ridge Christian School following a three-year absence. And where she has some good talent to work with along with three senior starters, she's also ready to face the realities of working with a small, eight-member roster.

"We're a very small school," Jackson noted. "We play girls from seventh through 12th grade."

The Eagles will feature three seniors, two sophomores, one freshman and two seventh graders on their roster. Jackson knows with a limited bench that her squad will need to be in good condition and play smart basketball to be competitive throughout the season.

"We've played two games so far, and after each one the players said they were OK," Jackson said.

Eagle Ridge defeated Thomas Jefferson (St. Louis) 33-28 back on Nov. 17 to even their season record at 1-1. Sophomore Jessie Gartman, a 5-foot-11 forward, led the way with 20 points for the Eagles.

"They didn't have a tall girl to match up with (Gartman)," Jackson said. "We were able to dump it in to her quite a bit."

Players to watch

Gartman's early-season production excites Jackson as she can pair her with senior forward Emily Jackson to form a dominating duo inside. The head coach calls Emily Jackson a team leader.

"She is a leader on the court," the coach said. "She was last year. She can calm the girls down a lot."

Senior Callie Hefner will run the show for the Eagles at point, with fellow senior Aubree Westerfield and sophomore Noel Friedrich also seeing time in the backcourt.

Having all five starters back from a year ago means the Eagles will be experienced. Jackson also said the younger players, like seventh-graders Jasmine Brown and McKenna Lewison and freshman Sarah Jackson, are fitting in well with the returning players.

"They all played volleyball together," Jackson said of the school's fall sports season. "They're a tight group. They hang out and have fun together even outside of school."

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Head coach

Stephanie Jackson

(1st year)

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ROSTER

No. Player Year

1 Sarah Jackson 9

3 Noel Friedrich 10

5 Jessie Gartman 10

10 McKenna Lewison 7

11 Jasmine Brown 7

33 Aubree Westerfield 12

35 Callie Hefner 12

44 Emily Jackson 12

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SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

11/13 @Bethel Christian Aca. 5 p.m.

11/17 @Thomas Jefferson 5 p.m.

11/20 Crosspoint Christian 5 p.m.

12/1 Westwood Baptist Aca. 6 p.m.

12/5 Liberty Christian Aca. 5 p.m.

12/8 Rivers of Life Christian 6:30 p.m.

12/11 Providence Christian 6 p.m.

12/15 @Westwood Baptist Aca. 5 p.m.

12/18 @Comm. Christian Aca. 6:30 p.m.

1/8 Bethel Christian Aca. 5 p.m.

1/15 @Crosspoint Christian 5 p.m.

1/19 Comm. Christian Aca. 5 p.m.

1/22 The Fulton School 6 p.m.

1/26 @Rivers of Life Christian 5 p.m.

1/29 Thomas Jefferson 6 p.m.

2/2 @Providence Christian 5 p.m.

2/5 @The Fulton School 5 p.m.

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LAST SEASON

RECORD

9-11