Girls
Coach: Shane Amos
21-22 Record: 28-1
Winning has fast become an everyday thing especially for the Pocola Lady Indians. Last year, the LeFlore county teams from Pocola reached the state tournaments in fastpitch and slowpitch softball along with basketball where the Lady Indians captured the coveted prize as champions on the hardwood at the Big House before winning the slowpitch state title. “The recent success is great; but now we’ve got to look ahead. With several girls taking on different roles for this team this season so we understand we have to work every day to be successful,” replied Amos.
Topping the list of proven playmakers is multi-sport standout Allyssa Parker (6-0, F, So.) who earned state tournament MVP honors as a freshman as Pocola won the school’s third girls basketball championship in school history. “Her height and strength gives opponents problems on both ends of the floor and she will only get better as her skill set continues to improve,” notes Amos. Kylie Smith (5-8, F, Sr.) who gives a physical presence inside will reunite with Kali Chitwood (6-2, G, Sr.) who can score from the arc as well as off the bounce and Bailey Lairamore (5-8, F, Sr.) who Amos credits for always doing the little things that matter in the clutch as the four returning starters while Lety Parga (5-5, G, So.) and Presleigh Riggs (5-4, G, Sr.) join Riley Jerrell (5-6, G, So.) and Kylee Merritt (5-5, G, So.) will share critical minutes this season.
The Lady Indians roster will supply even more depth with the everyday contributions of Maci Maxwell (5-8, F, Jr.), Savinia Phillips (5-5, G, So.) as well as a trio of eager to play freshmen Kyleigh Combs (5-6, G, Fr.), Dauslyn Brown (5-6, F, Fr.) and Landie Riggs (5-7, F, Fr.). After three season as the assistant, Amos moves to the head coaching position well aware of the target on the back of this year’s team. “We’ve been talking about handling pressure and adversity and realizing that we must continue to improve in order to accomplish our goals.”