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Jarrett Thinking Breakout Year

By RICK THORP

BEALLSVILLE — After a few seasons of growing pains, Tori Jarrett believes this could be a breakout season for the Beallsville’s girls’ basketball team.

From three victories when she joined the program as an assistant, to seven and 13 victories, respectively, during her first two years as head coach, the former Blue Devils standout is eager to see if her squad can keep pushing forward.

“I think we’ve done really well,” Jarrett, who played collegiately at Muskingum University, said. “The thing we’ve done really well is we’ve picked up our defense. We switched over to man-to-man.

“Of course, there are some things to work on. I’m never going to be completely satisfied. But I thought we’ve looked good in our scrimmages. We challenged them after one against Monroe Central/West Muskingum to be a little tougher and more physical and they showed me their willing to learn and adapt to things and get better.”

The Blue Devils are a mix of experience and youth, with five players with starting experience back in the fold. Rebecca Rutter, Talitha Bedford and Jackie Myers graduated.

“We’ve been gradually getting better each year since I’ve gotten here as an assistant,” Jarrett said. “Our schedule is a little tougher this year. I hope we can maintain that upward trend.”

Athletics Director Delmas Moore has upgraded Beallsville’s slate of games to one that’s reminiscent of a schedule from Jarrett’s playing days.

“I’m excited about it,” Jarrett said, noting Caldwell, Shenandoah and Bridgeport are among the schools added to the slate.

“That’s the one thing I told Mr. Moore and I told the girls is I think having a weaker schedule has killed us because a lot of teams that we play in the sectional and vote for us in the sectional don’t get to see us play. Now, a lot more of them will see us and talk about us more.”

Dagan Hossman (5-foot-4) is the lone senior back for the Blue Devils. A four-year mainstay, Hossman is one of the five starters returning.

One of the team’s captains, Jarrett said Hossman is working on being more physical and continues to lead by example.

The team’s lone junior is Olivia Muncy, a 5-7 player who plays guard, but can man a post spot, if needed.

The remainder of the returning five are sophomores — Ashlie Louden (5-5), Ashley Howell (6-1) and Jadyn Gable (5-9).

A captain and the team’s point guard, Louden has showed tremendous growth, Jarrett said.

Rounding out the roster are a group of seven players Jarrett said will be in the mix for varsity playing time.

The group includes sophomore Kylee Barnett (5-3), and six freshmen — Makenna Phillips (5-9), Cheyenne Riley (5-6), Harley Nalley (5-5), Sydney Van Horn (5-2), Trinity Abbott (5-3) and Jade Steck (5-4).

“I think we can have a few freshmen make an impact on varsity,” Jarrett said. “We’ve already thrown a few into the mix.”

Jarrett is assisted by Mason Lang.

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