Coach: Gary Don Smith, six years
Assistant coach: April Lawson
Last season’s record: 13-11
Returning starters: Keri Manning, a 5-foot-7 senior guard who averaged 13 points per game last season. “She finds a way to score and is a good rebounder for a guard,” Smith said. Alison Norman, a 5-8 senior forward who netted 7 ppg as a junior. “Alison is a defensive stopper,” the coach said. Sarah Hamilton, a 6-foot senior post. “She is a good defensive post and changes a lot of shots.” Paige Plumley, a 5-9 junior forward who “runs the floor good and is a good rebounder,” Smith said. Charlene Ellis, a 5-7 junior guard who averages 8 ppg as a sophomore and “is a good ballhandler.”
Best inside player: Smith said Hamilton is the best threat on the inside due to her ability to affect opponents’ shots. She averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds last season.
Best perimeter players: Manning was the leading scorer for the squad last season. “She shoots the 3 OK and can take it to the hole,” Smith said. Norman also got praise from the coach for ability to attack the offensive glass.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “We won five in a row at the end last year to place fourth. Our first goal is that fourth place, but we hope to walk up the ladder some,” Smith said.
Strengths of the team: Smith said he hopes depth will be a strength since the team has seven players back with game experience.
Weaknesses of team: “We hope to get our team chemistry together sooner than we did last year. If we don't get it together, that could be our weakness,” Smith said.
Game to watch: Against Little Rock Catholic, the defending champion, and Camden Fairview, who Smith said is “real athletic.”
Toughest opponents: Little Rock Catholic and Camden Fairview
College prospects: None