BOYS
Coach: Ron Dunaway
20-21 Record: 13-10
The Westville Yellowjackets got hot at the end of last season winning six of their last seven to make it to the Class 3A state tournament before being bounced in the first round by eventual state champ Crossings Christian. And with the bulk of their offense returning, the Yellowjackets are poised to make another trip to Oklahoma City next spring. Leading the charge is four-year starter Kegan Bradford (6-0, Sr.) who averaged 15 points and four assists per game running the offense from the point guard spot. “He can go score at the rim, shoot from the perimeter, is a good defensive player and a great athlete,” said coach Ron Dunaway. Ayan Sanchez (6-0, Sr.) is another four-year starter who plays the wing and averaged 10 points while grabbing 8 rebounds a game in 2020. The third starter back for the ‘Jackets is Cale Jacob (5-7, Jr.) who put in 13 points a game last season. The Yellowjackets look to have good size in the middle with the return of Alex Barton (6-4, Jr.) and Buddy Hammer (6-5, Jr.) who was injured most of last season. Battling for a starting spot this year will be Daxton Hembree (6-1, Sr.) who was valuable off the bench last year for Westville. Depth should be no problem for the ‘Jackets with senior Damian Bird and juniors Trey Martin, Even Singleterry and Jon Turtle as well as sophomores Aiden Auffet and Zeke Edmisten who will try to make their marks with the varsity. “Our expectations are high after last season and with three starters returning,” said Dunaway. “We’ll be deep off the bench and have more size than last year as well.”
GIRLS
Coach: Bobbi Eagleton
20-21 Record: 5-10
Bobbi Eagleton took over the Lady Yellowjackets program part way through last season and with six departed seniors, she’s looking to get things back on the winning track with a senior-heavy but fairly inexperienced group. Kelsie Berry (5-3, Sr.) is one of that group. She started at times last season and has emerged as a team leader in preseason according to the first-year coach. “Kelsie has really stepped up so far and is killing it for us in practice,” said Eagleton. Joey Do (5-8, Sr.) will bring some size to the lineup for Westville either on the wing or in the blocks. Bray Beach (5-6, Sr.) played a lot last year and will also be a good leader who brings a lot of energy to the floor and Kyleigh Collins (5-6, Sr.) will be another upperclassman that will prove invaluable during this rebuilding process. In addition, Cindy Lee (5-3, Sr.) will return to action for the ‘Jackets after sitting out last year due to Covid.
“Cindy is one of the hardest workers I’ve been around and will be a good leader as well,” said Eagleton. And the head coach is expecting immediate help in the form of Siloam Springs transfer Lexi Masters (5-10, So.) who is a good athlete and adds some more size to the Westville lineup and coach’s eyes will also be on freshman Samara Harlin who Eagleton calls a good athlete with lots of potential.
