With its head coach of a season ago moving over to the boys’ basketball bench, the Plato High Lady Eagles will be under the direction of new head coach Ryan Pimentel for 2024-25.
Pimentel has 16 years of coaching experience overall. He replaces Chris Couch, who is now the Plato boys’ head coach.
Coach Pimentel takes over a squad that finished 4-16 overall and 0-7 in the Frisco League last season, ending the campaign with a first-round loss to league rival Iberia in district tournament play. Depth proved to be a big problem for the Lady Eagles, who had low roster numbers. An influx of freshmen may help boost those numbers this winter.
“We will be very young this season,” said Pimentel, who has been at the school for 10 years. “We are going to focus on fundamentals and doing the little things right. Our goal will be to get a little better each day. If we can do that, I am confident that we can get this program headed in the right direction.”
The Lady Eagles will have to replace three starters in Tavi Craddock and Cheyenne Hazelwood (graduation) and Riley Hollis (transfer). Craddock averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds last season and was on the All-Frisco League Team.
Players returning from last season include 5-1 junior guard Aspen Hazelwood, 5-7 sophomore Aarika Todd and 5-7sophomore Estella Turner.
And back in the fold is sophomore Marissa Drake, who missed last season due to injury.
Helping the rotational depth this season figure to be six freshmen added to the mix - Chloe Cook, Sophia Craddock, Kaylea Lavoie, Kaylynn Bilderback, Aubrey Hightower and Payton Pimentel.
Hazelwood is the top scorer back, having averaged 6.5 points per game while Todd averaged 2.6 points and Turner 3.5 rebounds.
“Aspen started in 19 of 20 games and played the most minutes of any of the returners,” Coach Pimentel said. “She will be our primary ball handler and one of our team leaders. She works hard and always has a positive attitude. Aarika played in all 20 games last year. She is a talented sophomore who I believe will be an integral part of this program moving forward. Estella played in 14 games last year and gives us some size and strength around the basket. She will be asked to play a big role on this year’s team. I expect her to do a lot of good things. Marissa was injured last year and wasn’t able to play. I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do.
“We have six freshmen who have signed up to play, and all of the freshmen will have an opportunity to compete and earn playing time this year.”
