South Callaway - returns basically everyone and based on projected class breaks they look to fall down into class 3. If this is the case they are probably an odds on favorite to make a final four run. Clubb and Horstman make one of the toughest duos here in Central MO.
Jeff City - With Conway retiring it will be interesting to see how the system changes. They were defense-oriented under Conway and they had a tendency to be anemic offensively. Loaded roster. Should be one of the top large schools once again. Coach Foster has a lot of experience and should make the transition to HS coaching with ease.
California - one of the most consistent programs in the area under Coach Sangster. They graduated their big girl and lost one of the Porter sisters to an injury this spring...not sure when she will be back. I would still expect to see them turn in another big win total. Return their all-state point guard in Porter.
Hermann - didn't get to see them this summer but they graduated Erickson and a few other main rotation players. I would say they will be down compared to the last few years but still a solid program.
Owensville - Finley seemed to really find herself last season and Coach Flannigan seems to have the program stabilized. Look to be in class 4 based on enrollment which doesn't help them this year. Should beat the teams they should and will scare some of the better teams. For whatever reason, they seem to always get the best of St. James. Not sure what the deal is but they always play the Tigers tough.
SoBoCo - graduated a ton from a district title team from last season, including their point guard who made them so tough defensively. They have some younger kids who are athletic but would be surprising to see them make another run this year. I would expect them to continue to play their aggressive man to man which will keep them in most games. The offense will be the key for this group. If they cannot generate their offense off their defense it may be a struggle.
Fatima - coming off a less than stellar season with only 14-15 wins last year. They were decimated by injuries last year but found a way to win more games than they lost. They return their All-State guard in Brandt and will get their big girl back from knee surgery. Added a couple of nice freshmen as well. I would expect to see them back to form if they can avoid the injury bug this year.
Boonville - maybe the most talented team in Central MO. Absolutely loaded with shooting and athleticism. They have had a string of head-scratchingly weird district losses in the last couple seasons but they play a tough schedule and pile up wins. Their 1-2-2 press and zone gives teams fits and they score in bunches. Would expect to see them in Class 4 and will be an early-season favorite.
BO - return their best two players in their point guard and their shooting guard Fick. Graduated their big girl and will be undersized. They also have a new coach. Will be interesting to see how everything meshes early on in the season. Last year they did a nice job of mixing up their zones and getting timely shooting to win some big games.
Rockbridge - the odds on favorite to make ANOTHER final four run. Coach Nagle is one of the best in the business and she has the horses to put together another stellar season. They are loaded with D1 talent and will score with ease most nights.
Union - anchored by arguably one of the best point guards in the state. Had their ups and downs last season as their new coach adjusted to the ever tough FRC. Numbers have been an issue in the past. Will be interesting to see how year two goes.
Jeff City - With Conway retiring it will be interesting to see how the system changes. They were defense-oriented under Conway and they had a tendency to be anemic offensively. Loaded roster. Should be one of the top large schools once again. Coach Foster has a lot of experience and should make the transition to HS coaching with ease.
California - one of the most consistent programs in the area under Coach Sangster. They graduated their big girl and lost one of the Porter sisters to an injury this spring...not sure when she will be back. I would still expect to see them turn in another big win total. Return their all-state point guard in Porter.
Hermann - didn't get to see them this summer but they graduated Erickson and a few other main rotation players. I would say they will be down compared to the last few years but still a solid program.
Owensville - Finley seemed to really find herself last season and Coach Flannigan seems to have the program stabilized. Look to be in class 4 based on enrollment which doesn't help them this year. Should beat the teams they should and will scare some of the better teams. For whatever reason, they seem to always get the best of St. James. Not sure what the deal is but they always play the Tigers tough.
SoBoCo - graduated a ton from a district title team from last season, including their point guard who made them so tough defensively. They have some younger kids who are athletic but would be surprising to see them make another run this year. I would expect them to continue to play their aggressive man to man which will keep them in most games. The offense will be the key for this group. If they cannot generate their offense off their defense it may be a struggle.
Fatima - coming off a less than stellar season with only 14-15 wins last year. They were decimated by injuries last year but found a way to win more games than they lost. They return their All-State guard in Brandt and will get their big girl back from knee surgery. Added a couple of nice freshmen as well. I would expect to see them back to form if they can avoid the injury bug this year.
Boonville - maybe the most talented team in Central MO. Absolutely loaded with shooting and athleticism. They have had a string of head-scratchingly weird district losses in the last couple seasons but they play a tough schedule and pile up wins. Their 1-2-2 press and zone gives teams fits and they score in bunches. Would expect to see them in Class 4 and will be an early-season favorite.
BO - return their best two players in their point guard and their shooting guard Fick. Graduated their big girl and will be undersized. They also have a new coach. Will be interesting to see how everything meshes early on in the season. Last year they did a nice job of mixing up their zones and getting timely shooting to win some big games.
Rockbridge - the odds on favorite to make ANOTHER final four run. Coach Nagle is one of the best in the business and she has the horses to put together another stellar season. They are loaded with D1 talent and will score with ease most nights.
Union - anchored by arguably one of the best point guards in the state. Had their ups and downs last season as their new coach adjusted to the ever tough FRC. Numbers have been an issue in the past. Will be interesting to see how year two goes.