Longhorns return dynamic backcourt

By Phil Cobb | November 20, 2015 |

The 2015-2016 South Nodaway girls’ basketball team roster includes: Front row, from left: Johanna Werner, Erin Salsbury, Shelby Hull. Second: Marissa Wiederholt, Payton Henggeler, Savannah Bennett, Sydney Harlan. Back: Haley Nielson, Phelps Hawley, Mallory McConkey, Ashton Henggeler, Dolores Holtman, Alex Buckles, Elizabeth Turpin. Not pictured: Meaghan McConkey.

Following a strong campaign a year ago, the South Nodaway girls’ basketball team returns to try and replace several frontcourt pieces while still boasting a dynamic two-headed backcourt.

Head coach Aaron Murphy enters his fifth season leading the Longhorns after a 21-6 overall finish in 2014-2015, including a 5-2 record in Platte Valley Conference play, a first-place finish in the Northwest Invitational Tournament, and a third-place mark at the PVC Tournament.

Missing from last year’s talented roster are Malainee Hilsabeck, Kristen Nielson, Allison Hilsabeck, and Sabrina Trautz, all of whom made significant contributions. However, returning to the Longhorns are junior guards Mallory McConkey and Meaghan McConkey, who combined to average 26.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 5.4 steals per game a season ago.

“We lost some key seniors last year and we must have girls step up and rise to the occasion to fill their void,” Murphy said. “I see us as a team with a high ceiling and we will get better as the season moves on. I have a group of 16 girls that know the importance of hard work and its influence on getting better.”

Murphy also mentioned seniors Erin Salsbury and Shelby Hull, juniors Marissa Wiederholt and Sydney Harlan, and sophomore Alex Buckles as impact players for South Nodaway.

The Longhorns begin the season at 6 p.m. Nov. 24 at North Nodaway before they’ll take part in the PVC Tournament starting on Nov. 30.

“The PVC is a tough conference,” Murphy said. “Most of the teams within the conference have improved over the last year. I expect the conference to be very competitive. I see the top two teams as North Andrew and Jefferson. However, I believe teams like Northeast Nodaway and DeKalb have the capability to surprise some teams this year, as well.”