Conference: 7A
Coach: Brad Matthews, first year
Returning starters: Only one starter returns for the Lady Hornets this year. She is junior Kiara Moore (5-5 guard). Coach Matthews said she is a “very talented scorer,” and the team will be counting on her offense a great deal. “She has a lot on the upside already and great potential to improve over the year,” he said.
The team has only two seniors this year: Callie Hogancamp (5-5 guard) and Brittany Ball (5-5 guard).
Best inside players: Junior Whitney Meyer (6-1 post), Haley Murphy (5-9 forward) and Kristen Scarlett (5-7 forward) are the top inside players. “They all had little playing time last year,” Matthews said. “They will have more minutes and more responsibilities this season.”
Best outside players: Moore, Davis and Hogancamp will carry the perimeter game for the team, Matthews said. “A new addition will be sophomore Dezarea Duckworth (5-4 guard). “She was really good in junior high and has the potential to contribute as a 10th-grader,” he said.
Three players who can strengthen the team are still involved in volleyball, the coach said.
How will the season match up to last year? The Bryant program lost a bunch of kids to graduation, and several moved away,” Matthews said. “We have new kids and older players in new roles with a new system and a new coach. We will be successful, but it will look so much different, and it will be defined from a different perspective.
Strengths of the team: “These kids are meeting the challenge and taking on their responsibilities,” Matthews said. “All of that will show up on the floor. They are improving every day, and they will continue to work hard all year to be ready for conference play in January.
Weaknesses of the team: “We are young when it comes to experience,” the coach said.
Games to watch: “The battle with Benton is a big game each year,” Matthews said. “We are up to the challenge.”
Toughest opponents: North Little Rock and Cabot. “Both are well coached, and they have a lot of talent,” the coach said. “That is a strong combination.”