Conference: 2-4A
Coach: Aimee McGuire, sixth year at the school and seventh overall
Assistant coach: Natalie Martin
2012-13 record: 18-12 overall, 11-3 in conference play
Returning starters: Newport was able to do something that it hadn’t done in 20 years, and that’s advance to the postseason. The Lady ’Hounds finished second in the conference and fourth in the regional tournament before losing to semifinalist Star City in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament. If Newport is to make a return trip, it’ll have to do so with a young team. “Got a lot of growing up to do,” McGuire said, “and in a short period of time.” Newport has two returning starters back from last season, led by junior guard Nannah Lee, 5-feet-2, who garnered all-state honors as a sophomore. Senior point guard Taelehs Williams, 5-0, is back as well. However, the Lady ’Hounds will have a deep bench, which should allow McGuire the chance to get into opposing teams’ legs late.
Best inside players: Sophomore center Janel Hatcher, 6-0, will pave the way inside, McGuire said, but a pair of ninth-graders are expected to help out. Forwards Jada Walton, 5-10, and Jadyn Brown, 5-10, will both see significant minutes.
Best outside players: Williams can score from the outside and is the team’s top guard, McGuire said. Junior guard Jasmine Harris, 5-5; sophomore Jakira Crite, 5-3; and freshman Ikeshia Murphy, 5-6, provide insurance in the backcourt and out on the perimeter.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? Many of McGuire’s players are playing volleyball, which has caused her team to miss out on valuable practice time. In fact, the Lady ’Hounds won’t be in any preseason tournaments because of the possibility the volleyball team will make a deep run in the postseason. The sooner McGuire is able to work with her entire team, the better their chances of eclipsing what they were able to do a year ago.
Team strengths: Newport will have a combination of size and speed, a mix that McGuire doesn’t mind having. “That’s something we’ve never had before,” she said. “It’s always one or the other, but we’ll definitely use that to our advantage any way we can.”
Team weaknesses: McGuire won’t have all-tournament performer Khnede Finch or all-state guard Tyrena Friar at her disposal this year. Instead, she’ll have to rely on several youngsters to help the Lady ’Hounds. “We’re so young, and that’s going to hurt us some,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of quickness, a lot of athleticism. But we’re still young at certain spots.”
Games to watch: The opener against Harrisburg on Nov. 11 will be one of extreme importance. The matchup not only serves as the team’s first game, but it also gives McGuire a chance to see how her young team responds in a meaningful, early-season test. Also, the Lady ’Hounds may have to get more than they envisioned from their freshmen if some of their teammates are still playing volleyball.
Toughest opponent: Lonoke, McGuire said, will without a doubt be the Lady ’Hounds’ toughest opponent this season, particularly in league play. “They started five sophomores last season and have everybody back,” she said. “They have to be the preseason favorites right now.” Heber Springs, last year’s conference champ, lost a bit from last year but should also be in the mix.”
College prospects: Lee is drawing attention from several universities. “She was one of the top 75 players in the state as a sophomore,” McGuire said. “I think she’s only going to get better.”
In a nutshell: Newport’s prospects of making it back to the state tournament look promising. Yet, the Lady ’Hounds will have to work hard to do it. “We’re giving very good effort in practice right now, and that’s good since we don’t have our entire team,” McGuire said. “But we want to be a returnee [to the state tournament]. We want to get back there to see what happens in our second go-round. The girls understand what it takes to get there. We’ve just gotta go out and do it.”