Conference: 7A-Central
Coach: Ashley Nance (year at school: second: 73-19 overall)
Assistant coach: Jeff Gifford
2010-11 record: 25-7 overall (fourth in conference), quarterfinals of state tournament
Returning starters: Enjonae Chambers (5-7 junior guard, 20 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, all-conference, all-state tournament, Arkansas All-Sophomore Team); Madison Foster (5-5 senior guard, 10 ppg, 7 assists per game, all-conference); Alexus Clardy (5-10 senior guard/forward, 8 ppg, 7 rpg)
Best inside players: At 5-10, Clardy will be expected to control the paint for the Lady Cats.
Best outside players: Chambers and Foster will be counted on to continue their all-conference efforts from last season. They’ll get help from several upperclassmen: Claire Hobbs, a 5-7 junior; Kaitlyn Cozzens, a 5-6 senior; and McCall Wilkins, a 5-10 junior.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? Nance’s second season is off to a more promising start. “Last year, we had one returning starter; we were inexperienced as a team, and we had a new head coach,” she said. “This year we have three returning starters and more of a team concept, as well as a better understanding of the new system.”
Strengths of the team: Nance said the Lady Cats’ quickness and athleticism, paired with their up-tempo philosophy, would be their biggest strength. “We have worked extremely hard in the offseason and preseason on becoming physically tough, and it is starting to show in practice,” she said.
Weaknesses of the team: The coach said Conway won’t have an inside presence this season. The Lady Cats also lost some key scorers. “We must have some people step up into more of a scoring role,” she said.
Games to watch: Nance said all 7A-Central games should be exciting. “Every night in our conference is a game to watch,” she said. “Anyone can win or lose any night.”
Toughest opponent: North Little Rock, Cabot and Russellville. NLR, which won the 2010 state title, has something to prove after falling in the semifinals last season, Nance said. “They are well-coached; they have collegiate athletes and a national ranking to back them up,” she said. “Cabot will have experienced juniors and will be a well-balanced team. They are well-coached and most of the time, Conway vs. Cabot is a fun game to watch.” Russellville, too, is well coached, has great shooters, is well-balanced and experienced as a team, she said.
College prospects: Nance listed four: Chambers, Clardy, Foster and Hobbs. “Enjonae had a great year last year, is very athletic and a great shooter,” she said. “She is a competitor and plays extremely hard. She has already caught the eye of Division I schools, and I look forward to seeing how she will exceed her performance from last year. Alexus is an athlete. She makes big plays and works extremely hard in practice and on the court. This has caught the eye of college coaches and can push her into the next level if she has a good year. Madison is a scoring point guard. She is extremely fast and athletic and is basketball-savvy. Claire is not great at any one part of the game, but she is good at all of it. She is a good shooter, passer, ballhandler, rebounder, and she can penetrate and finish in the paint. It will be up to Claire how far she wants to take her basketball career.”
In a nutshell: The Lady Cats are not tall with a big inside presence but are guard-heavy without numerous scorers. “But what we do have is a team full of ‘everyday’ players,” Nance said. “They come every day ready to go to work, and if we can incorporate that onto the court, we will have a successful season.”