Stokes reflects on Lady Bear career
Hello everyone, I'm Dan Lucy on your Ozarks First digital desk.
It's always emotionally draining at this time of year for basketball players.
Whether you're in high school or any level of college.
When it's playoffs or tournament time, any game could be your last.
And that was the case for the Missouri State Lady Bears Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Bears lost to Minnesota 78-71 in a game that saw Missouri State battle from behind all day.
The Lady Bears got within three at one point, but could not win.
It was the last game for fifth year senior Paige Rocca, two senior transfers, Kylie Bess and Sarah Linthacum.
And guard Lacy Stokes.
Stokes is a Mt. Vernon native who grew up loving the Lady Bears.
At 5-foot-four, she elected to go to Missouri Southern out of high school.
After two years of success, including All-American status, she transferred to the Lady Bears.
It was a dream come true.
Stokes played for two years earned Newcomer of the Year after her junior season.
And after her senior season was the Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-Valley.
The 5-foot-4 dynamo was the heart and soul of the Lady Bears.
She scored 852 points, collected 168 steals and had 286 assists.
After the game Stokes talked about her career and love for the Lady Bears and Missouri State.
Lacy Stokes: (on season)
One of the great things about the Lady Bears team is its chemistry, especially this season when a couple senior transfers arrived in Kiley Bess and Sarah Linthacum.
The seniors all jelled, and Stokes had this story about her relationship with veteran Paige Rocca.
Stokes: (on Rocca)
So the four seniors move on, and who knows what the roster is going to look like as the transfer portal opens up.
Players staying put seems to be a rarity these days.
But youngsters like Kyrah Daniels, Kaemyn Bekemeir and Lainie Douglas got loads of playing time.
This is what Stokes had to say about the future of this Lady Bears team.
Stokes: (on future)
Missouri State won 26 games this season, and a whole new world is opening up next year in Conference USA.
But we'll certainly miss the toughness, grit and heart that Lacy Stokes put on display for two years.
Lady Bears fans thank her and Lady Bears fans will miss her.
For more sports watch Ozarks First news at nine and ten.
I'll see you then.
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