Reece Ryan’s presence on the basketball court was missed when Excelsior Springs faced Odessa Jan. 17 in the thirdplace game of the Lawson Invitational Tournament, Tigers coach JD Biermann and Josie Casler agreed.With Ryan sidelined by an injury, Excelsior Springs dropped the meeting in the Barker Center 64-51. The defeat put the Excelsior Springs varsity girls at 8-7 overall entering this week’s games.Ryan would’ve brought “a more calming presence” against Odessa’s press, given she’s the team’s main ballhandler, Biermann said. She also would’ve given Excelsior Springs quality minutes, he suggested.“She doesn’t come out of the game, ever, unless she’s in foul trouble or something,” he said. “So just having to adjust rotation and adjust game planning without her was a big challenge for us.”Casler, who was named to the alltournament team, also said the Tigers missed the minutes ...