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Sunday, November 3, 2019 23 Northwest Arkansas Basketball Courtesy Photo/University of the Ozarks Junior guard Kamryn McKinney returns for the University of the Ozarks women this year after averaging 6 points per game last season. Williams knows a thing or two about winning basketball games in the state of Arkansas. She played for Fayetteville and closed out her 2009 senior year by help- ing the team win the state championship in an undefeated season. The Lady Eagles will look to keep the momentum going without their three leading scorers from a season ago. Re- turning to lead the way will be junior guard Kamryn McKinney, sophomore guard Kerigan Bradshaw from Harrison and sophomore forward Hannah Weath- erford. McKinney started all but one game last year, averaging six points scored per game. Bradshaw, who made the confer- ence all-freshman team, also scored six points per game. Weatherford chipped in four points per game. "We are glad to have three players back who played significant minutes for us," Williams said. "But we lost a lot of talent from last year. There will be plen- ty of opportunities for people to step up and score. It's exciting and also scary because we don't know who that will be right now. We do know we'll get that job done." The team brings back eight returners and nine newcomers heading into this season. The recruiting class is head- lined by sophomore guard Carly Grace Dougan from Clarksville, transfer junior forward Maegan Bandimere from Fort Smith and freshman guard Faith Curry who went to Providence Academy. "We are excited for everybody this season because there is a lot of oppor- tunity at playing time," Williams said. "We lack overall experience. The players know the possibilities are there to make an impact for us." Despite the lack of returning starters, Williams and the Lady Eagles are confi- dent in their ability to take the next step this year after breaking through a season ago with great success. "We have set some goals, but I feel that putting too much pressure on your- self you lose the joy of playing the sport," Williams said. "We just want to be better than last year. We want to make it back to the conference tournament and make a run. We were a little shell shocked and lost. Now we want to win the first game and go from there." v Continued from preceding page