Carrying on a Lady ’Cat tradition
Photo courtesy of Licking R-8 Schools
The 2024-25 Licking Lady Wildcats, front row, from left: Asst. Coach Rick Mosher, Head Coach Steve Rissler, Keely Gorman, Linzie Wallace, Zoe Dawson, Allie Hock, Kinley Keaton, Hadlee Davis and Asst. Coach Eriq Kristek; back row: Sadie Hutsell, Miley Peterson, Addison Floyd, Morgan Stone, Cheyenne Mason, Jayde Thompson and Mya Rinne.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
This year’s Lady ’Cats basketball team will be made up of thirteen girls, and none of them have ever lost a Frisco League conference game. Head Coach Steve Rissler wants to continue the tradition and see his four seniors graduate with no conference losses.
The team had to adjust to the loss of an All State player, Hannah Medlock, as well as the other graduates, the scoring they produced, and their leadership on the floor. But this year’s seniors provide Rissler a strong foundation. Returning are four seniors who have lettered since their freshman year, and all of whom were starters last year.
Kinley Keaton can be counted on for her outside shooting and has been putting in extra work. She couldn’t play at their season opening Jamboree Friday night due to illness, but Coach Rissler says she has been “shooting the lights out.”
Allie Hock was First Team All District and All Central District last year. She is good with the basketball in her hands, and averaged 15.1 points per game last season. She has also been working on her outside shooting.
Linzie Wallace will do most of the ball handling. She also plays low on their 2-3 zone.
Zoey Dawson can run all five spots on the floor, everywhere from point guard to 5 man.
Freshman Hadlee Davis will be joining the varsity squad. Coach Rissler says she is a great defender and super quick laterally.
Sophomore Keely Gorman will transition to varsity this year, and brings a nice mid-range game.
Junior Addison Floyd is a great free throw shooter and will be counted on to come in and shoot 3s.
Sophomore Morgan Stone offers strength underneath and is a true 5 man at 6’1”.
In the Jamboree, the Lady ’Cats were a starter down, and after a later start of practices due to post season volleyball play, Coach Rissler said they weren’t in shape yet and didn’t execute against two Class 6 schools. But he promises they will be ready by Saturday, when they face Fredericktown at noon in the Bunker Shootout.
The Frisco League will have a new look this year, with Newburg joining forces with Dixon. “Dixon with Newburg” will be the new combined team. Licking is the first seed in the Frisco League Conference tournament, but all their opponents will be competing to try to be the one to break Licking’s streak of wins.
This Saturday, you can see them at Bunker, and Tuesday you will find them in Salem at the Big Cat Classic. The Frisco League Conference will follow the next week. Cheer on your Lady ’Cats to keep their streak alive!
