It is only the second year at Ozark High School for Bri Anton, but the 5-foot-10 senior guard is the face of the Lady Tigers' basketball program.

"She is that marquee-type player," Ozark coach Yancey Little said. "She is very versatile. She is just one of those special players that you don't have come around a lot. She can do a little bit of everything."

After losing all-state guard Courtney Gimlin to graduation, Little will rely on Anton to step up her game following a 23-6 district championship season. Gimlin was one of only two seniors on last year's squad.

"We have something to hold up to, being district champs," Anton said. "We have a really tough schedule. If we can get past this, there are high hopes for state. I think we have a good shot."

After averaging 12.8 points per game last year, Anton was named second-team All-Central Ozark Conference and All-Ozarks.

She started this season by signing a national letter of intent with Drury University on Monday.

"It just felt right. I have grown up around Drury since they have had girls' basketball," Anton said. "I always wanted to be part of that."

The Lady Tigers have an opening at the point guard position with the graduation of Kayla Carson. That is a role that Anton would like to take over.

"I like to handle the ball. I feel like I can handle pressure pretty well," she said. "I know that (Little) doesn't want me to be a full-time point guard, but when it comes to pushing the ball up the court, I would like to be in that. It would be a chance to show that I can handle the ball."

Little isn't leaning in that direction, however.

"Bri is capable of it," Little said. "She is a typical point guard because she handles the ball so well and sees the floor well, but you normally don't get a lot of scoring out of your point guard. I think we will have some girls step up and handle the point."