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Hoops '21: Stoneking, McClellan lead new-look Jackson girls
Plenty of head coaching vacancies have surfaced since Adam Stoneking's successful run at Oak Ridge, where 20-win seasons were standard for the Class 1 boys basketball program.
Stoneking, who took some time off from coaching before assisting the Jackson girls the past two seasons, had no plans of eventually being the Indians' head man.
But when then-Jackson coach Tyler Abernathy stepped down to become the Jackson Middle School assistant principal earlier this year, Stoneridge began to reconsider.
When he got the itch to lead the Jackson and was eventually given the keys to a program coming off a district title, it was because of the relationships he developed while second in command.
This group of Jackson players — a team that returns just one starter from a 20-7 squad — is what ultimately got Stoneking back in the saddle.
"I wouldn't have even considered going after this job when (Abernathy) left it if it wasn't for these girls," Stoneking said. "Just the commitment level here is phenomenal."
The return of a four-year starter certainly helps their cause.
All-District guard Jordyn McClellan will be looked to spearhead a youthful, new-look Jackson team that will look to push the ball in transition at every opportunity.
"With Jordyn you have someone who is a proven scorer," Stoneking said of McClellan, who missed her sophomore season due to a knee injury. "She won't see anything she hasn't seen before."
Jackson has won at least 20 games in the seasons McClellan was healthy.
"We're a young team, so I think I can help bring leadership," McClellan said. "I think we'll be a good team. We're a smaller team this year with a lot of guards."
Stoneking liked what his quick, guard-heavy team did during summer basketball, fielding a lineup of shooters and capable ball handlers
But if the Indians get stuck playing a halfcourt game, McClellan makes them dangerous around the perimeter.
"She's someone who can shoot the ball well, has great court vision," Stoneking said. "It's nice to have someone who can shoot over 40% from 3."
On paper, it appears as if the Indians were gutted by graduation with the loss of a talented senior class that included Maddie Lambert, Liv Ward, Hannah Shinn, Kate Emmendorfer, Brooke Thompson and Avery Bauer.
But Jackson's cupboards aren't bare.
Coming back with McClellan are Katie Waller, Maci Wendel and Kamryn Link, a trio of reserves last season who played starter-like minutes.
Stoneking believes this group is capable of another 20-win season, though Notre Dame is still widely considered the local favorite.
The Indians open their season at SEMO Conference Tournament.
"It would be wrong to say that that league isn't all looking up at Notre Dame right now, trying to knock them off that No. 1 spot," Stoneking said. "And I think we have the ability to do that if we continue to grow."