Looking to build off a strong 2021-22 season in which the Mount Vernon Lady Jackets went 13-8 and 8-4 in Ohio Cardinal Conference play, Mount Vernon girls basketball coach Nate Short is optimistic in what he believes will be a competitive team led by a core of returning players from last year’s squad.
“We have three returners who saw significant varsity action last year,” Short said, “and six total varsity letter winners returning.”
The three most experienced returning players are senior Nevaeh Williams, a second team All-OCC honoree from last year; senior Brooklyn Thayer and sophomore Hayley Burke. The three additional returning varsity letter winners are seniors Kylie Parsons, Liz Miller and Mia Rieder.
Last season ended with a playoff loss to Groveport-Madison, 46-32, and the Lady Jackets seemed to win in bunches. High points included a six-game winning streak from Dec. 13 through Jan. 6 with victories over St. Francis DeSales (37-34), Madison Comprehensive (51-35), Lexington (50-37), Westerville Central (46-43), East Knox (63-50) and Ashland (40-37); and a three-game winning streak in January over Wooster (52-44), Madison Comprehensive (49-44) and Lexington (47-43). Mount Vernon closed out the regular season with back-to-back wins over Danville (47-40) and Ashland (52-39).
First-team all-OCC McKenna Brokaw, the team’s leading scorer, second-team all-OCC Williams and honorable mention selectees Mac Schlosser and Emilee Burke led last year’s team. Of those, only Williams returns for this season.
“Those are talented players who left, but our core is strong and we work hard,” said Short.
Short spent four seasons as an assistant coach on the women’s basketball team at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and was behind the bench at Highland.
“This will be my 11th year coaching and second at MVHS,” said Short, who took over the Lady Jackets’ program from Doug Savage, who brought the Yellow Jackets their only conference championship in their history in 2014, but who went 5-12 in 2020-21.
Short’s first Lady Jackets team improved by eight wins over the previous season overall and by four wins in conference play, and he has brought his own style to the team, gaining his approach from others.
“I’ve been able to learn from some unbelievable men and women throughout my career,” Short said. “Some of them were from playing basketball and baseball here in Mount Vernon.”
Short’s team focus is on competitiveness, hard work and the hunger to succeed along with humility.
“Our drills focus on competitiveness, and the great group of kids we have here embody the core values they need to succeed while remaining humble,” Short said. “I’m really happy with the progress this group has made since we started back in the spring. We just hope to continue to improve with each practice and game.”
Mount Vernon started its season with a 52-50 overtime win over Centerburg and begins conference play Nov. 29 at Ashland.
