BELLAIRE – When it comes to veteran experience, the Bellaire girls basketball team will have plenty of it.

“Last year, we finished up the regular season 12-10. We bring back five girls that all have started at least 20 games in their careers. So we are very experienced. We lack size but hope to overcome that with our experience and athleticism,” Big Reds coach John Farrier said.

The lone starter not returning to the roster this year is Lizzie McAninch. But she won’t be too far from the court as she will help coach at the Middle School level.

Junior Zara Harveth returns after being the leading scorer and rebounder for the past two years for Bellaire. Last year, Harveth scored 13.9 points while grabbing 7.4 rebounds.

“She is a dual threat player,” Farrier said. “She can play inside or outside. We look for continued big-time production from her.”

Classmate Eliana Mason, who led the team in assists (53) and steals (85) last season also returns to the point guard position. Farrier looks for her to be a double-digit scorer this year.

Rhyan O’Grady, a two year starter and junior is back, too.

Seniors Allie Ault and Sidney Rowson return to the Bellaire lineup. Ault scored 10.5 points during the 2022-23 season and will be one of the Big Reds’ top shooters from the 3-point arc this year.

Rowson is described by Farrier as a defensive specialist.

“She is that player that every coach wants to have. She is all hustle all the time. She will guard the opposing teams’ best player,” Farrier said.

A couple of freshmen will provide some depth for Bellaire in Aubree Hines and Kayla Edgar. Hines will be playing in the paint while Edgar will see valuable minutes at the guard position.

Tamya Morgan, a sophomore, is also new to the Big Reds. Farrier said she is the jack of all trades and will see important time off the bench this year.

Sophomore Savannah Kanyuch and freshmen Gigi Kendle and Liz Mayer round out the Bellaire roster.

“We want to play at a fast pace. I feel like we should be competitive in all our games,” Farrier said. “However, I feel like almost every team on our schedule will be improving so every time our players step on the court they better be ready to compete for 32 minutes.”

Assisting Farrier is Hutch McFeley, who has been an assistant coach for the past seven years.