Conference: 5A Southwest
Coach: Mark Upshaw (fifth year as head coach, 80-41 at Hot Springs, 154-114 career)
Assistant coach: Yvonne Neal
Last year’s record: 8-18 overall; seventh in conference
Returning starters: Shakela Shaw (5-4 senior forward) averaged 14 points per game last season. Keonka Evans (5-9 senior guard) averaged 11 points per game, and Crystal Osborne (5-4 senior forward) averaged three points per game.
Best inside player: Shaw
Best perimeter player: Evans
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “With team cohesiveness and depth,” Upshaw said.
Strengths of the team: Speed, quickness and depth
Weaknesses of the team: Lack of size
Games to watch: Lakeside is a rivalry game and will be a top contender for the district championship; Central Arkansas Christian is an excellent shooting team; and Little Rock Christian, Upshaw said.
Toughest opponent: Lakeside, CAC and Little Rock Christian
College prospects: “Keonka Evans is a big, strong guard that shoots the ball well,” Upshaw said.