Lady Ramblers’ guard play on point, coach says

The Rose Bud Lady Ramblers have the same goal every year — to be at their best, come February. “You can expect to see a group of girls who are disciplined and play very hard,” head coach Bradley Moss said. “Our goal every year is to be at our best in February, so that is what we will try to do.” Rose Bud finished 23-11 last year and returns two starters, senior Gracie Hartle and junior Hope Hartle. Hope averaged just over 11 points per game last year, along with 7.5 rebounds. Gracie averaged 6.2 points per game with 3 assists and was 39 percent from beyond the arch. “We are pretty heavily guard-oriented,” Moss said. “Hope Hartle plays inside and out out of necessity. Caitlyn Waggoner should provide some physicality in the paint this season, and Kyann Hays has been really working and improving this offseason.” He said Hope and Gracie will be the leaders from the perimeter. “Gracie has spent the summer working on her shot and being a consistent threat,” the coach said. “She sees the floor well and will run our offense. “Hope is an inside-out player. She’s super athletic and can really pull down a ton of rebounds.” He said freshman Kyndal Rooks will be a big help this season. The coach said she provides elite athleticism and can really score. “Senior transfer Hailey Vaughan will definitely help and provide some quickness at the guard spot,” Moss said. “She anticipates things defensively very well. Juniors Skylar Wise and Once Jasso will be depended on heavily this season. “Hopefully, we will have a sophomore or two step up and provide us with some depth this season. Briley Chandler and Kortney Clayton could both do that.” Moss said that last year, Rose Bud had a great group of seniors who led by example. “Their work ethic was unbelievable,” Moss said. “I hope our upperclassmen can step up and provide that same type of leadership this year. “Our strengths will be our guard play and the ability to shoot the basketball. I think the back-to-back state-tournament appearances have provided some much-needed postseason experience for the girls.”