By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

When you come as close as El Dorado Springs did to reaching the final four last season – an overtime loss in the state quarterfinals – next season’s goals become much clearer.

Especially when everyone’s back.

El Dorado Springs, which returns one of the most experienced teams in the area, has its sights set on unfinished business.

“Winning a district title and coming so close to reaching the final four last year, we definitely want to make another run this season,” said head coach Beau Swopes. “Our girls understand the effort and time they will have to put in to achieve their goals.”

The Lady Bulldogs have a starting lineup with four multi-year starters.

Seniors Reese Schaaf and Tevi Gurley are three-year starters who contribute in different ways.

Schaaf averaged 18 points and a team-high seven rebounds and 3.5 assists per game last season. She earned all-state honors in Class 4.

Schaaf, with 1,555 career points, is poised to have a record-setting senior season.

Schaaf’s older sister, Alexa, graduated in 2014 and holds the current school record with 1,663 career points.

“Reese sees the floor exceptionally well. She is always looking to make her teammates better and has the ability to score in multiple ways,” Swopes said.

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Gurley is a 5’10” forward who averaged nine points and six rebounds last season.

“She can stretch the defense with her outside shot,” Swopes said.

Senior guard Morgan Mitchell is a two-year starter. Swopes said Mitchell brings a “positive energy” to the team and does her best work on defense.

Junior guard Macie Mays is a two-year starter who averaged 21 points and six rebounds per game last season.

At her current pace, Mays will surpass 1,500 career points this season.

“She’s one of our better defenders as well,” Swopes said. “Macie does a great job of attacking the rim and has really improved her outside shot.”

Junior forward Wriley Taylor brings an active presence to the paint area.

“Wriley is undersized in the post but doesn’t back down from anyone,” Swopes said. “She finishes well around the basket.”

Sophomore guard Tenlie Steward played well during El Dorado Springs’ postseason run a year ago.

“She really stepped up at the end of the season,” Swopes said. “Tenlie has the ability to really make an impact on both ends of the floor.”

El Dorado Springs finished 24-6 overall last season and won its first district championship in five years.

El Dorado Springs blew out Pleasant Hill and Notre Dame de Sion to win its district tournament, then beat St. Michael in the sectional round.

The Lady Bulldogs just missed out on a trip to the final four, falling 41-38 in overtime to Benton (St. Joseph) in the Class 4 quarterfinals. El Dorado Springs had won 13 straight games up to that point.

El Dorado Springs welcomes back a full roster from last season’s squad, minus senior forward and reserve Dani Ogle.

She suffered a knee injury over the summer and won’t play this season.

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The Lady Bulldogs have several other younger players pushing for increased roles.

Sophomores Gracie Mead (forward) and Abi Schmitt (forward) both earned varsity playing time as freshmen.

“Gracie has very good athleticism and can finish around the rim,” Swopes said. “Abi has shown improvement with her footwork and could be a real defensive presence in the paint.”

A pair of freshmen guards, Neely Schaaf and Alexis Collins, could provide some offensive depth.

“Neely can handle the ball and knock down shots,” Swopes said. “She has a very high basketball IQ. Alexis has shown the ability to make outside shots and has really improved her ability to handle the ball.”

Swopes, who guided El Dorado Springs to a state title in 2014, said this year’s squad should show defensive improvement and perhaps a faster pace on offense with the extra depth.

“We’ll look to change things up depending on matchups, but our base will still be man-to-man defense,” Swopes said. “Offensively, we would like to push the tempo more and use our length and athleticism.”

El Dorado Springs will travel to Lamar on Nov. 16 for a jamboree scrimmage.

The Lady Bulldogs begin the regular season on November 29 at the Warsaw Invitational.