2023-24 McClain Lady Tigers Basketball Preview

Having a team of 13 players on the varsity roster and a new head coach, the McClain Lady Tigers are entering new territory for the 2023-24 season.

At the forefront of the change within the girls basketball program is a new head coach, that being Shania Massie, who is one of the most decorated players in the history of McClain basketball.

A 1,000-point scorer and All-Ohio selection as a player for the Lady Tigers — and a national champion at Shawnee State University — Massie brings a wealth of knowledge in her first season as a varsity head coach, and second season overall as a girls basketball head coach.

Last year, Massie coached the Lady Tigers’ eighth grade team, and now leading the varsity team her first season, she’ll be coaching a team that consists of four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen.

The senior class for the Lady Tigers includes power forward Lily Barnes, shooting guard Luca Matesic, shooting guard Kaitlyn Jett and power forward Haylee Havens.

Juniors are center Anna Eikenberry, shooting guard Katie Cook, shooting guard Lindsey Hutchinson and small forward Brenna Wright.

Sophomores for the 2023-24 season are point guard Lillie Saunders, power forward Leah Lovett and shooting guard Brie Cummins. Freshmen joining the varsity team are shooting guard Paisley Pryor and small forward Larah Henson.

McClain has three returning starters from last season, as MHS was coached by Jarrod Haines for the past 10 seasons. Haines resigned from the head coach role after taking an assistant principal position at McClain High School.

Gone due to graduation is Payton Pryor, who averaged 10.9 ppg and 6.9 rebounds per game, along with 1.2 assists per game and 1.7 steals per games. As a senior, Pryor was named All-FAC, second-team Coaches All-District and third-team OPSWA All-District.

The returning starters are Barnes, Havens and Jett.

Last season, Barnes averaged 6.5 points per game, Jett averaged 6.7 ppg and Havens averaged 4.9 ppg. Barnes was honorable mention Coaches All-District a season ago.

“I believe Lily Barnes, Kaitlyn Jett, Luca Matesic and Paisley Pryor will stand out this year, both offensively and defensively. I am excited to see how Haylee Havens, Lillie Saunders, Anna Eikenberry, Brenna Wright, Lindsey Hutchinson, Katie Cook, Brie Cummins, Leah Lovett and Larah Henson can contribute for our team this season in many different aspects,” Massie said. “Every player has a different role, and some are roles they have never filled before.

“I think that it is important that everyone finds a way to contribute and make our team better in order to be successful. We still have room for improvement with all of our players and will continue to work toward becoming better student-athletes.”

Being her first offseason as head coach for McClain, Massie said the offseason and preparing for the 2023-24 season has been full of “ups and downs.”

“I think the offseason has had its ups and downs. We have lost some of our players due to injuries and other various reasons, but the ones who have stuck it out will make a difference to our team,” Massie said. “Our players have been working hard during summer and preseason to get stronger as well as becoming better players.”

Assistant coaches for MHS are Cece McClellan (varsity assistant coach) and Drew Hamilton (JV coach).  

“With it being my first year as a varsity head coach, I luckily didn’t have to start from the bottom completely,” Massie said. “Coach Haines has been a great help to me with anything I have needed and is still in my corner. I kept Drew Hamilton as my JV coach, and he has been around this group of girls and program for many years, where he has also been such a great help to me.

“Cece McClellan is a former teammate of mine from Shawnee State University and knows exactly the style of ball we want to teach our team both offensively and defensively. She has done great with learning the girls and their individual skills.”

What has been the biggest difference for Massie from jumping up to the ranks as a head coach at the varsity level compared to middle school?

“The biggest difference between this year's offseason and last year as middle school coach is the hours that we put in as coaches,” Massie said. “Being the head coach is not as easy as some people think. There is no such thing as overnight success. Building a successful team takes time, patience and dedication. We will eventually see the results we are looking for within our team.”

Positive aspects have happened in preparation for MHS during this offseason, and Massie talked about that.

“I have seen a lot of toughness from this team. They have endured a tough preseason with conditioning and getting in shape, and I know it will pay off in the long run,” Massie said. “I have been impressed with how willing they are to learn a new system, and the response we have gotten from the girls has been great. I’m looking forward to seeing them continue to improve and learn as the season gets underway.”

There are also improvements that each team wants to make, and that includes McClain.

“We hope that as the season progresses, we continue to improve with communication and talking on both ends of the floor,” Massie said. “Decision making is also a very important part within the game, and I hope we can improve reading defenses to compel a successful offense.”

Even with the new head coach and a new system, one thing stayed the same for the Lady Tigers basketball program, and that is having high expectations.

“We have really high hopes for the season and are excited to see how the girls handle everything this season throws at them,” Massie said. “I think how we handle adversity will really determine the outcome of our year.

“Our team is tough, coachable and are developing while learning a new system of play. Our team works hard and is pushed every day in practices. The goal is to make practices hard, so that games come easy, but that may not always be the case. Growth is an important role for our team to be successful.”

Besides facing teams like Jackson, Chillicothe, Hillsboro, Washington and Miami Trace in the FAC, the Lady Tigers’ non-conference schedule is strong as well.

MHS will face the following teams away from the FAC: vs. Paint Valley, at Adena, vs. Clinton-Massie, at Waverly, vs. Piketon, vs. Fairfield, vs. Blanchester, vs. Minford (Eastern Brown Winter Hoops Classic), at Lynchburg-Clay, at Peebles, at Logan Elm and at Zane Trace.

Massie gave her thoughts on the FAC and their non-conference schedule as well.

“As for the FAC, Jackson has won the last two years, but the entire FAC should be a competitive league top to bottom,” Massie said. “There will be no easy games for us with everyone being as competitive as they are.

“Non-conference play will also be competitive this year. I would like to say we have an easy game, but we don’t. Every team we have on our schedule is going to give it all they have, and I believe our girls will return the favor.”

Massie closed by saying she and her team are excited for the season to begin.

“I’m really excited to get the season started. I think that we have the potential to have a really great year, and I am looking forward to seeing the girls get to play together,” Massie said. “I think most importantly, I am excited to build and gain relationships with these athletes that will hopefully give them the opportunity to trust in us as coaches to help them in the future.”

McClain opens the 2023-24 season on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at home against Paint Valley in a non-conference game.