Danielle Bennett, Central, 5-11 senior: After being confined to the post, Bennett moved away from the basket and into the limelight last season. She averaged 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as a guard who flashed into the post. She also has range out to the 3-point line.
Whitney Edie, Exeter, 6-1 senior: A future Missouri State Lady Bear, Edie averaged 25 points and 13 rebounds as a junior. Her output helped Exeter win the first district and sectional championships in school history.
Hannah Wilkerson, Miller, 5-7 junior: There's nothing Wilkerson can't do on the basketball court. She led the Ozarks in scoring last year at 29.1 points, while adding 8.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
Hannah Brim, New Covenant, 5-7 senior: Brim is the primary ballhandler for the Warriors, who finished 20-5 last season. Brim played last season in a knee brace after an ACL injury and averaged 16.0 points.
Lisa Salisbury, Greenwood, 5-9 senior: Salisbury will be expected to score and rebound, as she is the only returning Bluejay starter. She averaged 6.3 points and 7.3 rebounds last season.
Myriah Hicks, Central, 5-5 senior: On her way to Missouri Southern, Hicks is a versatile scorer who has a little flair to her game. She averaged 9.9 points and has the ability go off for 25 or more points in any game.
Tashina Tennis, Sparta, 5-7 senior: Tennis fills up the stat sheet from the point guard spot. Last season she averaged 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
McKenzie Lauffer, Aurora, 5-9 senior: A key interior scorer for the Lady Houns, Lauffer should provide ample leadership.
Haley Skidmore, Conway, 5-3 senior: A true point guard, Skidmore should lead Conway to the top of the Summit Conference. She averaged 12 points and 2.9 assists last season.
Kayla Coffer, Sparta, 5-10 junior: Coffer burst on to the scene last season, averaging a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. She also shot 55 percent from the field.
Mallory Williams, New Covenant, 5-6 junior: Williams is the glue for the resurgent Warriors, not only providing scoring (9.5 points per game), but defense. She's not new to varsity ball, but she could break out as a star this season.
Jamie Nash, Aurora, 5-3 senior: As athletic as any player in the area, Nash thrives on defense, where she makes life difficult for opposing guards. She doesn't score much, but if she can find a way to score in double digits this season, Aurora could make another run to the state quarterfinals.
Lindsey James, Willow Springs, 5-10 senior: James was one of the better players in the SCA last season, averaging 15 points and 8 rebounds.
Rochelle Wallen, Lockwood, 5-9 senior: Wallen was first-team All-Spring River Valley Conference last year, scoring 11.3 points per game.
Haley Harman, Walnut Grove, 5-7 sophomore: After tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in the first game of last season, Harman is now back and ready to go. She's also a dynamic pitcher in softball. Harman already is known as an above-average 3-point shooter in basketball circles.
Kasey Painter, Morrisville, 5-8 junior: A terrific athlete, Painter is the top returning scorer for Morrisville at 14.5 points per game. She's a guard who can slither into the lane or shoot it over the defense.
Kelsey Hullinger, Blue Eye, 6-1 senior: A legitimate threat in the post, a lot will be expected of Hullinger, who averaged 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks last season.
Lauren Fitzpatrick, Fordland, 5-8 senior: A true point guard, Fitzpatrick should lead Fordland to the top of the Summit Conference. She averaged 12 points and 2.9 assists last season.
The city of Springfield has a chance to collect two championships in districts that don't include the Ozark Conference or the Central Ozark Conference.
This is the senior season for that Central group that won 20 games as freshmen, meaning, it's the final year to reach lofty expectations.
Danielle Bennett and Myriah Hicks already have college scholarships in hand and Pazsley Looney has offers. Kenzlye Brown still can shoot it and Marika Starks can do a little bit of everything.
As for New Covenant, the Mark Twain Conference could be for the taking. The Warriors return much of their junior core, especially with Hannah Brim and Mallory Williams. You may not remember, but New Covenant won 16 games last season.
Aurora is worth watching in the Big 8. The Lady Houns return seniors McKenzie Lauffer and Jamie Nash, a talented 1-2 punch in which Lauffer delivers the offense and Nash delivers the defense.
In the Polk County League, expect Morrisville and Walnut Grove to rise to the top. In the Southwest Central League, Sparta could be the favorite, but Blue Eye is right there.
The Summit Conference should feature a battle between Fordland and Conway.
Other teams to watch: Willow Springs (South Central Association); Exeter (Ozark 7); Miller (Spring River Valley).
