By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The Missouri Western women's basketball team is gearing up for the 2023-24 season, and expectations are again high after a largely successful campaign last year.
The Griffons finished last season at 24-7, and finished third in the MIAA standings.
Yet, Missouri Western was denied a bid to the NCAA tournament.
Head coach Candi Whitaker says not getting in the tournament last year was a major letdown, but also a learning lesson.
"Never in a million years did I think you could finish third (in the MIAA) and not get in (the NCAA tournament)," Whitaker said at MIAA Media Day in Kansas City.
"Now, we understand fully what we're looking at and how much you have to take care of everything you can control."
The Griffons return five of their top seven scorers from last season and return six players with starting experience.
In fact, Missouri Western may be one of the most experienced teams in the MIAA this season.
The Griffons return nine letter winners and they have six seniors on roster. Seniors Brionna Budgets, Camille Evans, Jordan Cunningham and Mary Fultz have been with coach Candi Whitaker for each of the last three seasons.
Whitaker says she values each of her seniors, and they each bring something unique to the table.
"We have six seniors and they're all different," Whitaker said. "They've all been through it. They've been through a lot and they're so experienced and I trust them so much, because of what they've learned and how they show up everyday and how they lead our culture. I just couldn't say enough about them."
Senior and two-time all-MIAA forward Connie Clarke is back for a third season with the Griffons. Fellow senior Johnni Gonzalez is back for a second year.
Further down the roster, the Griffons added a pair of transfers from Johnson County Community College - guard Mackenzie Hart and forward LaJahda Boyland.
Missouri Western will also get to play sophomore Jayme Jackson for the first time this year. Jackson, a Liberty native, transferred in from Pittsburg State last year, but had to sit out per MIAA rules.
Jackson played in 20 games in her first year at Pitt and then started all 28 games for the Gorillas in 2021-22, and was top five on the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and assists.
"She looks great," Whitaker said of Jackson. "Jayme is so versatile and can do so many things offensively. She's such a tough kid and makes us better in all areas."
Whitaker herself is entering her fifth season as head coach the Griffons, and it's been a great tenure so far.
Three 20-plus win seasons in her first four years, a Central Region championship and an Elite Eight appearance are the big highlights of course.
But through the highs and lows, it's Whitaker's family, she says, that keeps her grounded.
Her husband, Matt, and their three boys Westin, Will and Cal are at nearly every game during the season. Whitaker says coaching at Missouri Western at the Division II level has afforded her the opportunity to be more present with her family.
"I've loved my time at Missouri Western, because it's given me such a great balance of time with them and getting to coach and be with my players," she said. "In my experience in coaching, I felt like I never had that. Had a lot of Mom guilt. Here, I have felt like I'm home, reading books, brushing teeth, attending games."
Whitaker had previously spent a decade of coaching at the Division I level before being hired by Missouri Western in 2019.
Missouri Western unofficially open the season on Wednesday, October 25 with an exhibition against MidAmerica Nazarene at home. Tip-off in that game is set for 6 p.m.
The Griffons also play an exhibition at Division I Missouri State on November 1 at 6 p.m. before the first official game against Winona State on Friday, November 10 at St. Joseph's Civic Arena at 7:30 p.m.
Candi Whitaker interview
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/5Sw6ln9k0Db
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