Batesville Lady Pioneers

Conference: 5A East

Coach: Patricia Stave, head coach, 28th year coaching in Batesville

Assistant coach: Teighlor Melton, second year

2012-13 record: 7-16

Returning starters: Haley Hambrick, a 5-9 forward last season is the only returning starter. She averaged 5.3 points per game shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 3.5 rebounds per game. “The only other players with any varsity playing experience are seniors Sydney Staggs, who joined our team for the last few games after returning from an injury, and junior Christina Hamilton,” Stave said.

Best inside players: Hambrick played forward last season but will be playing mainly in the post this season. “She’s a very motivated senior and has shown a lot of leadership mainly by work ethic,” Stave said. “She has great footwork and moves around the basket and can step out and hit the 3 as well. She’s a good passer and our best defender inside and around the perimeter. She’s competitive. She’s tough. And I expect to see a lot of good things from her this season.” Sophomore Anna Beth Conditt and Haili Williams could also see varsity playing time in the post.

Best outside players: “We have several guards that could contribute this season, each with special talents,” Stave said. Senior Sydney Staggs does not have much varsity experience but is a clutch shooter who’s not afraid to take the shot when the game is on the line, and Stave is hoping to keep her injury-free this season. Junior Christina Hamilton and sophomore Summer Strecker are quick guards that penetrate well and are beginning to learn how to use their quickness and speed to their advantage defensively. “Sophomore Madison Stave is our playmaker and will handle most of the point-guard duties,” Stave said. “Sophomore Haley Cole has a great short-range jump shot and will be able to help us some on the inside. Junior Sarah Hayes will be joining our team after volleyball and should be able to give us some outside scoring.” Sophomore Kenzie Dunegan is another shooting guard. Shanda King and Lauren Hanson could also see varsity playing time.

How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year?: “Although we will be young and inexperienced, we handle pressure and pass the ball well. The big question remains how well we will consistently shoot the ball from one night to the next. This team has a lot of good possibilities. They just need experience,” Stave said.

Team strengths: Determination and unselfishness. “We see the court well and our young kids are beginning to buy into our philosophy,” Stave said.

Team weaknesses: “To compete in our conference, we have to be able to play at a much higher level on defense; with such a young, inexperienced team, we have a lot to overcome in regard to defensive knowledge and intensity,” Stave said. “We do not have much size, so we will have to make up for that with aggressiveness. With lack of size also comes concerns with rebounding.”

Games to watch/toughest opponent/rivalry: Stave said the Lady Pioneers are facing a challenging schedule this season. “I’m not sure we even have an easy team on our schedule. All of our opponents are tough; in nonconference, Riverview and Vilonia to name a couple. In conference, there is no easy team, but I suspect that the top four finishers from last season — Paragould, Beebe, Greene County Tech and Nettleton — will dominate again this year. I just hope by conference time, we will be in that mix.”

College prospects: Hambrick has already signed to play softball, but Stave said she has the ability to play both sports.

In a nutshell: “This team has been fun to coach thus far. They work hard. They are learning the game and want to succeed. Even with the young, inexperienced players, I’ve already begun to see this team develop some chemistry. I believe once they learn their individual roles, and they learn how to play aggressively on defense, we will be able to compete,” Stave said.

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