Conference: 4A-7 Southwest
Coach: Lauren Buckner
Assistant coach: Brittany Burns
2009-2010 record: 4-21
Returning starters: Juniors Georvona Porter and Meyonsha Riddles and sophomores Alexis Ellis, Morgan Fimpel and Madeline Laster
Best inside players: Raven Martin, a 5-11 senior. Head coach Lauren Buckner said Martin is a good rebounder capable of scoring double figures; Taylor Pippins, a 5-10 junior, is a good finisher around the rim with a high free-throw percentage; Meyonsha Riddles, a 5-11 junior, who is fast with a good vertical jump, a strong rebounder and good blocker; Morgan Fimpel, a 6-1 sophomore with a good jump shot; Melanie Griffey, a 5-10 sophomore who is a strong post player; and Madeline Laster, a 5-7 sophomore who is strong with a high freethrow percentage.
Best outside players: Georvona Porter, a 5-8 junior Buckner calls a strong leader with good knowledge of the game; Coutrney Gillespie, a 5-7 junior with strong ball-handling skills; Daysha Ross, a 5-4 junior, “She's a strong leader and has quick hands,” Buckner said; Alexis Ellis, a 5-9 sophomore with a powerful inside game and Da’Monique Miller, a 5-8 sophomore with quick hands and feet and good court awareness.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year: Last year, the team played the same players constantly, but Buckner said this year, with her newfound depth, everyone can count on getting more minutes. She also hopes to improve their fundamental skills. “
Strengths of the team: “One of our strengths is that of sheer numbers,” Buckner said. The opening of Maumelle High School provided the team with 11 new players, allowing more room for competition. “No one can afford to be lazy, uncoachable or selfish at any time,” Buckner said. She said her team is extremely athletic and intelligent as well.
Weaknesses of the team: Defensive fundamentals and lack of communication on the floor. The team is young, and it is their first year to play as Maumelle High School after moving from Pulaski Oak Grove, Buckner said.
Games to watch: “All of them,” Buckner said.
In a nutshell: Buckner said pulling her team together as a group will be important since this is the first year for Maumelle High School. “They must trust in each other and be willing to communicate with each other,” she said. She thinks her team knows what's expected of it. Buckner said she would like to see the team lead the state in rebounding, steals, points allowed by opponents and more.