Conference: 6A-South
Coach: Brandi Higginbotham (13th season at Lake Hamilton, ninth as head coach)
Assistant coach: Dedra Robinson
Last year’s record: 8-19 (sixth in the conference)
Returning starters: Melissa Chunn (5-foot-9 senior post), Kayla Bullard (5-7 junior guard) and Kori Bullard, a 6-0 sophomore post who started and averaged 18 points per game in the last three games of last season. However, she may be lost to a shoulder injury this season, Higginbotham said.
Best inside players: Chunn and Kori Bullard
Best outside players: Kayla Bullard and Kylie Frazier (5-6 sophomore guard)
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “The incoming sophomores have added size and speed as well as depth to our group of returning upperclassmen,” Higginbotham said. “This will hopefully improve our performance and give us more opportunity to succeed.”
Strengths of team: “Our strengths will be in our size which has been lacking since the state championship team in 2009. We will have better speed at all positions and players that will compete with our opponents,” Higginbotham said.
Weaknesses of team: “We will have a variety of young players that will need to do some quick learning due to a lack of high school experience,” the coach said. “We will need to become better shooters and defenders as the season progresses.”
Games to watch: Lakeside at Summit Arena in Hot Springs. “It’s always a fun rivalry game at Summit Arena,” Higginbotham said. She also mentioned the Spa City Shootout/Hot Springs High School Tournament and games “against a variety of opponents.”
Toughest opponents: Russellville and El Dorado. “Russellville has an excellent chance to win the state tournament and they beat us last season,” Higginbotham said. “El Dorado is the defending state champion.”
College prospect: Kori Bullard has good size and speed, shoots well and has the desire to win, Higginbotham said.