Copan Lady Hornets all abuzz about new season
Copan High School’s Elyzabeth Odum wil be returning was a starter and for the Lady Hornets. Copan opens its season Thursday (Dec. 5) by hosting South Coffeyville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Dusk moon dance zen vein
In those 20 letters are contained the key to Copan High School’s girls basketball fortunes this coming year.
They are a collective anagram of the first initial and last names of Copan’s three veterans.
Elyzabeth Odum and Kamryn Vann contribute invaluable senior experience to the nine-girl mix.
Add to them junior Zoey Secondine — who sharpened her skills with several varsity minutes last season — and veteran head coach Kristy Bryan has the foundation on which to build her team.
Her sophomores include Kaylee Woodworth, Aimee Nittler, Ashtyn Conklin and Janelle Radford.
Freshmen Rylee Preston and Kadance Burton round out the varsity roster.
With only nine players, Bryan has given some junior high players a chance to participate in practice in order that the Lady Hornets might have five-on-five workouts.
“That also will make them (junior highsters) better players,” Bryan said.
There has been an emphasis of positivity in preparation.
“We’ve been encouraging each other,” Bryan said. “We’ve been focusing on not getting down. … We’ll see once when the games start where we’re at. We’re hoping we have a positive outlook. … We’re not great shooters.”
The Lady Hornets aim to focus on defense as their main strength.
“We’ll focus on defensive stops,” Bryan explained. “We want to get steals and layups.”
Copan girls open the season at 6 p.m. December 5 (Thursday) by hosting South Coffeyville.
South Coffeyville features dangerous scorer Lydia Phillips and the youngest of the talented Dolan sisters, Bryan said.
The Copan vs. South Coffeyville boys’ game will follow at 7:30 p.m.