Conference: 5A Southwest
Coach: Lynn Rook, 16 years at Arkadelphia and 33 years in coaching, whose teams have won more than 700 games
Assistant coach: Eric Allen
Last year’s record: 11-16, 4-10 in the conference
Returning starters: Katie Brech (5-11 forward) is a senior who plays a major role in the defensive side of the Lady Badgers’ games, Rook said. “She does an excellent job of altering shots without drawing fouls.” On offense, she averaged 5 points per game with 6 rebounds. She can also make the 3-point shot. Also returning is senior Kaitlyn Reid (5-2 point guard) who is the team’s floor general, Rook said. “She sees the game well; she is a good ballhandler and a gritty defender.” Another senior, Karnisha Wright (5-2 guard), is returning. She averaged 4 points per game last year.
Best inside players: Brech and sophomore Kelsy Kobe (5-11 guard) will be working the team’s inside game. Rook said Kobe has a chance to be a physical player but is inexperienced, but should learn a lot during the season, and both players are expected to put more points in from the paint. Two sophomores who are expected to contribute off the bench early in the season are Taylor Parsons (5-7 forward) and Amarya Jones (5-5 forward). Rook also has a good swing player. He said junior Ashley Whittle (5-6 forward) will get plenty of minutes off the bench.
Best outside players: Sophomores Angelique Robinson (5-6 guard) and Chasity Burris (5-6 guard) are very comparable players, Rook said. “Both have long arms and are very quick,” the coach said. “They will help set the fast tempo we want to play, and they will help on defense.” Brook Pritchard (5-2 point guard) is a junior who is now recovering from an injury sustained while playing volleyball. “We hope to have her back by the time the season opens,” Rook said. “She is a player willing to drive on the floor for the ball. She is Miss Hustle.” Two juniors will be a big part of the outside game as well, Rook said. They are Rae’Vyn Britt (5-4 forward) and Jacinta Crawford (5-3 forward).
How will you match up with last year’s team? “We lost our two leading scorers, who accounted for 75 percent of our offense,” coach Rook said. “We will have scoring by committee early on, until someone steps up.”
Strengths: This team is very versatile. “With Britt able to move into the perimeter and Whittle working inside and outside, it is a real positive and gives us depth to play the fast-paced push ball we like,” the coach said. “We also have a number of sophomores, so we expect some growing pains.”
Weaknesses: The team is inexperienced and has so many young players. Rook said some of the younger players are going to have to step up and play. “We don’t have a guaranteed scoring threat,” he said.
Games to watch: “All the games are going to be big for us,” the coach said. “It’s going to be a dogfight every time we step onto the court.” While Hot Springs is Arkadelphia’s traditional rival, the conference includes plenty of talented teams like Lakeside and Camden Fairview