Conference: 2A-4 East
Coach: Chris Kordsmeier, 23rd year at school, 594-202 at school
Assistant coach: Brent Bruich
2012-13 record: 16-16, tied for second in the 2A-4 East Conference; lost to Hackett in the first round of the Class 2A West Regional, 54-40.
Returning starters: Meagan Briggler, 5-6 senior guard, 12 points per game; Rachel Briggler, 5-4 senior guard, team leader in assists; Anna Mayor, 5-8 senior forward, team’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer; and Taylor Womack, 5-9 senior forward.
Best inside players: Mayor, Womack and junior Caroline Dail.
Best outside players: The Briggler twins as well as Abby Kordsmeier, 5-5 senior guard; Madeline Moix, 5-8 junior guard, who was the leading scorer off the bench last year; Monica Davanzo, a 5-6 guard; and Maddy Shamburger, a 5-7 guard.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? Kordsmeier said the Lady Bulldogs hope to build on a strong finish to the end of last season. “I thought it was big for us to be able to qualify for the regional tournament for some valuable experience,” he said. “We have set our goals to make it to the regional and state tournaments.”
Team strengths: With four starters returning for 2013-14, Kordsmeier said experience would be one of St. Joseph’s strengths. “I like our team chemistry as well,” he said. “The girls are working hard and together as a group.”
Team weaknesses: Once again, the Lady Bulldogs lack size. “We are pretty small,” the coach said.
Games to watch: Looking at the schedule, Kordsmeier picked out Conway Christian (first round of the Class 2A West Regional); Greenbrier (a Class 5A school); Carlisle (a traditional Class 2A state power); Sacred Heart (first round of the Class 2A State Tournament) and Rose Bud as key for his Lady Bulldogs this season.
Toughest opponent: Kordsmeier said the 2A-4 East would be very competitive again this season. The league includes Bigelow, Conway Christian, Hector, Quitman and Western Yell County. “All of the teams will be tough,” he said.
College prospects: None at this time.
In a nutshell: Kordsmeier has built the Lady Bulldogs into one of the state’s traditional small-school powers, leading them to a state championship in 1998 and runner-up finishes in 1997, ’99, 2009 and ’10. He is optimistic about this season. “I really like our team chemistry,” he said. “We can build on that with the experience we have coming back.”