KANSAS -- it was a historic season last year as Tri-County finished 29-6 and in fourth place in the Class 1A state girls' basketball tournament. The 29 wins were the most in Tri-County, Oakland-Kansas or Oakland history and it was the first time any of the three had made it to state.

Tri-County is in its sixth year of a co-op with Oakland, Kansas, and Shiloh. Shiloh went to the state tournament five times, including 2010-11 and have had seasons of 29 wins or more on six occasions.

Five players, including four starters, are gone from the Little Okaw Valley Conference Southeast Division regular season and tournament champions as well as LOVC overall tourney champs. However, six returning letter winners are back for coach Joe Morrisey's team.

"We have been focusing on replacing the four starters from last year and developing team chemistry," said Morrisey, who is in his 11th season. "Girls who were complimentary players last year are having to step up and take on different roles. The six returning letter winners are going to play different places."

Among the returners is 5-6 guard Tayler Barry, who was on the JG-TC All-Area team after averaging a team-high 15.8 points per game. She also made a team-leading 65 three-pointers and averaged 2.2 rebounds 2.4 assists and 4.5 steals per game.

Also returning is second team all-LOVC SE player Bella Dudley, a 5-7 sophomore, who averaged eight points per game.

Junior Melia Eskew along with sophomore Caroline Smith and seniors Izzy Carroll and Lillie Cox are the other returning letter winners.

"We are going to be long and quick so that will allow us to play pressure defense," said Morrisey, whose team allowed 36 points per game last season.

Morrisey said the team which will play a junior varsity schedule, is also looking for freshmen/sophomore games as they have a total of 26 in the program.

"We went to five shootouts and worked on different players accepting different roles and developing a defensive mindset," said Morrisey of the summer.

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The reason for different roles is the loss of five players, including JG-TC All-Area player Harley Barry, an honorable mention Associated Press Class 1A player like her sister Tayler. First team all-SE Division players Maiya Eskew and Kiersten Price-Wilson along with second team player Grace Burnside also graduated.

Another Barry, who is sisters to Tayler and Harley is on the team in freshman Thaylee Barry, while other seniors on the team are Cailynne Phillips, Sammi Skinner, Emily Barrow, Gwen Morris, and Madison Barrow as the Lady Titans have seven seniors.

"We are inexperienced, athletic, quick and willing to learn," said Morrisey when asked to describe his team.

As far as leadership goes Morrisey said, "It is still in progress. We have a variety of candidates who are stepping up at this time."

Tri-County was at Tuscola Thursday and will be in the Oakwood Comet Classic starting Saturday.

Tri-County averaged 61.6 points per game but lost 56 percent of the scoring.

"We want to improve every day, have new faces replace the ones that we lost and defend our Oakwood Thanksgiving title, compete at the Charleston Holiday Tournament, win the first Lincoln Prairie Conference Tournament and compete in the postseason."

Morrisey said all 15 varsity players can contribute to the team.

"We are looking forward to another fun and exciting season," said Morrisey, who is assisted by Alyssa Childress. "Hopefully the hard work and a tough mental attitude we can accomplish our goals."

Contact Mike Monahan at (217)-238-6854. Follow him on Twiter: @monahanmike

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Athletic and quick Tri-County girls' basketball team returns six from four place team - Journal Gazette and Times-Courier