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40 Northwest Arkansas Basketball Sunday, November 3, 2019 GIRLS BERRYVILLE LADY BOBCATS COACH Daniel Cornelison CONFERENCE 4A-1 2018-19 RECORD 31-5, 9-2 PLAYOFF RESULT State runner-up WHO'S BACK? Lexy Anderson (Sr., 5-8), Jordan Estepp (Sr., 5-9), Kelsey Smith (Sr., 5-5), Cecilia Doss (Sr., 5-9), Lilli Compton (Jr., 5-4), Abby Thurman (Jr., 5-7), Lauren Compton (Jr., 5-7), Ella McMellon (Jr., 6-1). THE SCOOP The Lady Bobcats advanced to the state championship game last season, but graduated four starters. Anderson was injured for part of the season but is healthy this season. Anderson was the NWADG Division II Player of the Year as a sopho- more. McMellon will give the Lady Bobcats a defender at the rim at 6-1. Estepp should provide offense at the post. HUNTSVILLE LADY EAGLES COACH Greg McCone CONFERENCE 4A-1 2018-19 RECORD 9-19, 4-7 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost first-round of dis- trict tournament WHO'S BACK? Josie Sisk (Sr., 6-0), Ken- dra Poor (Sr., 5-7), Madyson Thomas (Jr., 5-8), Grace Mayes (Jr., 5-7), Paige Bennett (Jr., 5-9). THE SCOOP Last season the Lady Eagles played for a new coach for the first time in 40-plus seasons as Greg McCone replaced Hall of Fame coach Charles Berry. With a full season under McCone, the Lady Eagles should be much improved this time around. FARMINGTON LADY CARDINALS COACH Brad Johnson CONFERENCE 4A-1 2018-19 RECORD 26-8, 9-3 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in state quarter- finals WHO'S BACK? Makenna Vanzant (Sr., 5-7), Trinity Johnson (Jr., 5-9), Tori Kersey (Jr., 5-11), Joelle Tidwell (Jr., 5-9), Audrey Culpepper (Sr., 5-10). THE SCOOP The Lady Cardinals will contend for the conference and state title again with a strong nucleus back. Vanzant averaged 12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game to earn all-state honors. Kersey is strong in the post, averaging 10.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game to earn All-NWADG Newcomer of the Year acco- lades. Johnson provides a perimeter scor- ing threat with 59 3-pointers last season. The senior, junior and sophomore classes combined for a 72-4 record in junior high. OZARK LADY HILLBILLIES COACH Bret Nagel CONFERENCE 4A-4 2018-19 RECORD 14-16, 5-7 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost first round of re- gional tournament WHO'S BACK? Kelsee Barnett (5-5, Jr.), Summer Joy (Sr., 5-6), Mary-Grace Ree (Sr., 5-6), Tanner Richard (Sr., 5-5). THE SCOOP Barnett is the only returning starters from last year's team, but there are a ton of newcomers who could have a big impact. Carter Crane is a 6-0 sophomore who should provide defense at the rim. Look for Briley Burns, a 5-10 freshman, to play a major role. PEA RIDGE LADY HAWKS COACH Heath Neal CONFERENCE 4A-1 2018-19 RECORD 23-7, 10-2 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost first round of re- gional tournament WHO'S BACK? Blakelee Winn (Jr., 5-10), Allisa Short (Sr., 5-10), Aidan Dayberry (Sr., 5-9), THE SCOOP Pea Ridge won the confer- ence title last season, but placed fourth at the district tournament. The Lady Hawks lost to Clarksville in the first round of the regional tournament. Winn averaged 13 points per game to go along with 6 rebounds and 3 steals. .. Lauren Wright, Ravin Cawthon and Josey Goldberg are all newcomers to watch. HARRISON LADY GOBLINS COACH Doug Young CONFERENCE 4A-1 2018-19 RECORD 26-6, 10-1 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in state semifinals WHO'S BACK? Caroline Cecil (Sr., 5-9), Marian Groberg (Sr., 5-10), Kenzie Parker (Sr., 5-7), Sydney Shrum (Sr., 5-6). THE SCOOP Harrison is loaded with four returning starters from last year's state semifinalist. All four starters averaged better than 8 points per game. The Lady Goblins have depth as well with Shayne Gilliam (5- 10, Sr.), Brynn Olsen (5-7, Jr.) and Maggie Salmon (Jr., 5-6). A host of sophomores should also provide minutes off the bench. CLARKSVILLE LADY PANTHERS COACH Randy Talley CONFERENCE 4A-4 2018-19 RECORD 23-10, 9-3 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost first round of state tournament WHO'S BACK? Emmaline Rieder (Sr., 6-1), Autumn Miller (Jr., 5-10). THE SCOOP The Lady Panthers won the 4A-4 district tournament and knocked Pea Ridge out of the regional tournament in the first round before falling in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament. Rieder aver- aged 12 points and 8 rebounds per game last season to earn all-state honors. Miller averaged 8 points and 3 steals per game and was named all-conference. Sophomore Abby Domerese is expected to be a major contributor. GRAVETTE LADY LIONS COACH Will Pittman CONFERENCE 4A-1 2018-19 RECORD 13-13, 5-7 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in district tour- nament WHO'S BACK? Shylee Morrison (Jr., 5-6), Kasandra Tajchman (Sr., 5-9), Gabbi Scott (Sr., 5-5), Abigail Beranek (Jr., 6-0), THE SCOOP The Lady Lions will be look- ing to make a move back to the top of the conference after a down season in 2018-19. Morrison is one of the top players in the 4A- 1, averaging 14.7 points to go along with 80 assists and 70 steals. She was in double figures in 22 of 26 games and twice scored over 30 in a game. Scott is quick and aver- aged 7.7 points per game. Beranek averaged 5.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in the post. Lizzy Ellis was the second-leading scorer on the team before she was injured. Kaylan Chilton averaged 5.3 points last season. Sophomore Reece Hamilton should give Lady Lions a boost. SHILOH CHRISTIAN LADY SAINTS HEAD COACH Bryan Rooney CONFERENCE 4A-1 2018-19 RECORD 6-20, 1-10 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost first round of conference tournament WHO'S BACK? Anna McCredy (Jr., 6-3), Katie Thompson (Jr., 5-7), Ryli Russ (Jr., 5-5) THE SCOOP The Lady Saints have a new coach in Bryan Rooney, who was an assis- tant at state champion Little Rock Christian last season. Leading scorer Anna McCredy returns after averaging 14.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Thompson averaged 4.2 points and 2.8 as- sists per game. The Lady Saints should get a boost from juniors Acie Thurlby and 6-3 post Rachel Cox. PRAIRIE GROVE LADY TIGERS COACH Kevin Froud CONFERENCE 4A-1 2018-19 RECORD 9-14, 3-9 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost district tourna- ment WHO'S BACK? Jasmine Wynoz (Jr., 5-9), Mariah Halber (Jr., 5-5). THE SCOOP The Lady Tigers have had a couple of down seasons by their lofty standards and will be young this season, but coach Kevin Froud is excited about the future. Wynoz is the top returning scorer and rebounder. Froud said sophomore Trin- ity Dobbs can be a difference-maker at both ends of the court. Olivia Kestner, Tori Price, Abby Preston, Zoe Hubbs, Charity Stearman and Arianna Harrell are sophomores that will see significant playing time. GENTRY LADY PIONEERS COACH Toby Tevebaugh CONFERENCE 4A-1 2018-19 RECORD 9-16, 1-11 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in district tour- nament WHO'S BACK? Ariel Nix (Sr., 5-1), Jaiden Wilmoth (Jr.), Emily Toland (Jr., 6-0). THE SCOOP Gentry returns most of its team from last season. Nix averaged a team- best 8 points and 3 rebounds per game last season. Wilmoth averaged 7 points per game to go with 3 steals and 3 assists per game. Toland led the team in rebounding and averaged 6 points per game. Ahrya Redding, Kinley Hays and Meledy Owens logged significant playing time last season, and Heidi Vinson is a newcomer to watch. BOYS SUBIACO ACADEMY TROJANS COACH Tim Tencleve CONFERENCE 4A-4 2018-19 RECORD 12-14, 4-10 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in district tour- nament WHO'S BACK? Clint Crow (Sr., 5-10), Matthew Kremer (Jr., 6-0), Conner King (Jr., 6-2), Jackson Frederick (Jr., 6-1). THE SCOOP Crow is the only returning starter, but the Trojans have a number of juniors who saw playing time. Jude Percey (6-2) should be a major contributor, and Tencleve will count on sophomores Jona- than Mercera (6-3), Jaedon Nieveld, Sahir Isei and Ivan Martin to provide depth. C L A S S 4 A B A S K E T B A L L C A P S U L E S File Photo/NWA Democrat-Gazette/BEN GOFF • @NWABENGOFF Makenna Vanzant, a four-year starter for Farmington, will lead the Lady Cardinals again this season in the 4A-1 Conference. v Continued on next page