Conference: 6A East
Coach: Katrina Mimms (five years)
Assistant coach: Ashley Nelson
Last year’s record: 8-19 overall (0-14)
Returning starters: Jessica Jackson (6-2/all-around player); Tiffany Smith (5-3/ good guard); Sasha Richardson (5-5/guard); Jaquia Alexander, (5-6/forward); Coyja Hood (5-9/post); and Nicole Bennett (6-0/post)
Best inside players: Junior Hood and Bennett, a senior, will return this season with plenty of experience inside. “They’ve got good size, and they’ve got the experience,” Mimms said. “We should be solidified at that spot because of their experience from last year.”
Best outside players: Jackson, a junior, averaged 15 points per game and 8 rebounds per game and is the team’s best overall player, Mimms said. “She is versatile, and she can go inside and out and handle the basketball, so she’s kind of a do-it-all [player],” Mimms said. Sophomore Smith is one of the better outside shooters.
How do you think you will match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? The team has experience coming back. Two ninth-graders and three sophomores started most games last season, and they are all returning this season. “We’re excited about what we got accomplished in the summer and how much better we’re going to be this season,” the coach said.
Strengths of the team: The Lady Devils have plenty of experience coming back from last season. Also factor in the team’s depth and Jessica Jackson — teams are going to have to stop her — and the Lady Devils should stand out this year.
Weaknesses of the team: Mimms said the team is lacking overall speed. “We have speed in areas, but overall from top to bottom, our team speed is going to be our weakness,” she said.
Games to watch: The Little Rock Hall game is going to be the big one that everyone is going to come in and watch. “Jackson is being highly recruited, and Hall has a girl who is highly recruited, so colleges are going to flock to that game to watch,” Mimms said. Little Rock Parkview, who was in the state finals last year, and Mountain Home will also be games to watch.
Toughest opponents: Hall and Parkview
College prospects: Jackson is a highly recruited athlete, with more than 75 scholarship offers already.