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Future in good hands with Irby and Smith leading way
Taryn Irby and JaNiya Smith create a backcourt tandem that is the envy of the Bootheel Athletic Conference, primed to carry the Portageville girls’ basketball team to new heights.
“We are a new team and the girls recognize that,” said Kellye Fowler, who entering her 14th season as the Lady Bulldogs’ head coach. “They are determined to put in the work it takes for success and they are bought into a team-first mentality.”
Irby, a versatile shooting guard and point guard, is known for her high basketball IQ and ability to score both from the perimeter and off the dribble. Last season, she was named the Bootheel Athletic Conference Player of the Year, leading the team to a 23-6 record and a trip to the Class 1 State Tournament quarterfinals with an average of 13.1 points per game.
“Irby shoots the ball well but can also get to the rim and score off the dribble,” said Fowler, who was named the conference coach of the year this past season.
Meanwhile, senior JaNiya Smith, who has traditionally played in the post, will take on a new assignment this season, handling the ball frequently in a more positionless role.
Her athleticism and strength allow her to drive to the rim with ease. Smith’s impressive stats from last season—11.8 points, eight rebounds, 2.5 steals, and two assists per game—earned her recognition as both an All-Bootheel Conference selection and the Class 2, District 1 Player of the Year while helping the Lady Bulldogs capture their first conference championship since 2018.
“Smith will be very versatile and can really play wherever needed,” Fowler said. “She is so athletic and strong and has a way of getting to the rim.”
The Lady Bulldogs face the challenge of filling the void left by the departure of five seniors: Jayla Weddington, Aubrey Greenwell, Laney Stone, Lily Priggel, and Addi Cayton.
Their leadership and unique strengths will be missed. Additionally, the team will be without junior Julianna ‘Juju’ Priggel, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during volleyball.
Known for her grit and vocal leadership, Priggel’s absence will be felt.
“Juju did so many of the tough jobs for us this summer,” Fowler said. “Setting screens, taking charges, and being a vocal leader. We will be looking for girls to step up and fill each of these roles this year.”
To bolster their lineup, the team adds two more juniors to the starting lineup this year: forward Gloriaha Farmer and center Maggie Priggel.
Farmer, who was the sixth man last year, is an extraordinary defender and an all-around athlete. She was recently named the Bootheel Athletic Conference Player of the Year in volleyball.
Priggel, who played mostly JV last year, is expected to make a significant impact on varsity this season with her size and athleticism.
Priggel was also one of the top contributors to the district championship in volleyball this past fall, showcasing the ability to perform at a high level under pressure.
“We are still going to play hard pressure defense and try to let our defense be our best offense,” Fowler said. “I like to play fast but we have been working on slowing down and making good decisions. We talk often about how the goal is to get better every single day. The success won’t come on game days if we aren’t putting in the effort in practice. We want to be playing our best basketball in February.”
Portageville will compete in Class 3, District 1 this season.