Conference: 1A-5 West
Coach Freeman Isaacs (15th season as Mount Vernon-Enola’s head coach)
Assistant coach: None
Last year’s record: 25-10 (The Lady Warhawks won the regular season championship, were runner-up to Guy-Perkins in the district tournament, finished third in the region tournament and were eliminated by eventual state champion Calico Rock in the first round of the state tournament)
Returning starters: Heather Prowse, 5-7 sophomore point guard; Kathryn Bartlee, 5-2 junior guard; Shana Smith, 5-5 junior guard; Emily Jobe, 5-6 sophomore post; Katie McNinch, 5-8 junior post; and Sydney Davies, 5-9 senior. “Sydney is really stepping up for me this year. She started some last year and is a good swing man that can really shoot the 3 good," Isaacs said. He added that Prowse, Bartlee and Davies provided the bulk of the offense last season. Jobe will miss the season after suffering a preseason ACL injury. Smith is also questionable. Isaacs said Smith has a heart murmur, but he is hopeful that she will return to the court by mid-November.
Best inside players: In addition to McNinch and Jobe, Isaacs said he is impressed by sophomores Hayley Brewer (5-9) and Ashley Gilbeck (5-10). “I think they will help me by years end,” he said.
Best perimeter players: Bartlee and Davies. “They get us going outside, and Heather (Prowse) can score from out there but can also penetrate and finish over some post girls,” Isaacs said.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “We were real young last year and only had eight players, including two freshman. We are still young this year with only two seniors this year, but we have 18 players on the roster,” Isaacs said. “We have been in the fire, and we have learned a whole lot from last year’s experience. Out of those 10 games we lost, we probably lost six of them in the fourth quarter, going to the wire and not knowing how to handle that situation. We have to know how to use the clock as an ally and slow things down when we have a late lead. We hope to be a little more relaxed.”
Strengths of the team: Isaacs likes to play an uptempo game and he plans to keep it going this year with another speedy squad. “We have quickness and the ability to get it up and down the floor,” he said. “We shoot the ball well and are very balanced. You can’t key on one girl, because all of them can shoot it.”
Weaknesses of the team: With two players already sidelined, “keeping everybody healthy” concerns Isaacs the most. In addition, the Lady Warhawks are not tall -- the tallest player is 5-10. “When we have someone that has a big post girl, we have to figure out how to defend that. My point guard jumps center for me,” Isaacs said with a laugh.
Games to watch: Blevins and Guy-Perkins. “Blevins was in our regional tournament last year. We beat them to advance, and we added them to our schedule early on this year,” Isaacs said. “After Christmas, Guy-Perkins is our first conference game (at home on Jan. 10). Those two teams as well as the Benton Harmony Grove tournament will provide some good competition for us.”
Toughest opponent: “Probably Blevins,” Isaacs said. “We have them at home on Nov. 15. They’re quick and athletic, and we played them in the regional, so I’m sure they'll be looking to avenge that.”
College prospects: Isaacs said Prowse, a sophomore, has the ability to play at the next level. “She can shoot it well from the outside if she needs to and she’s real quick,” he said. “She's left-handed and needs to work with using her right hand.”