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Sunday, November 3, 2019 43 Northwest Arkansas Basketball C L A S S 2 A B A S K E T B A L L C A P S U L E S GIRLS EUREKA SPRINGS LADY HIGHLANDERS COACH Ryan Sanchez CONFERENCE 2A-1 2018-19 RECORD 23-14, 8-2 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost 40-32 to Danville in the first round of the regionals. WHO'S BACK? Shelby Little (Sr., 6-0), Megan Holloway (Sr., 6-2). THE SCOOP Little averaged 13.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season, and Holloway was even better at 13.8 and 8.0 boards. The Lady Highlanders return their top six players from the conference championship team with no se- niors. Eureka Springs won 20 games for just the third time in school history and bounced back from a 6-23 mark two years ago. Little earned all-state honors and was the 2A-1 Conference Player of the Year. Gracie Lester runs the point and averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 assists per game. Katelyn Ross (Sr., 5-3), Olivia Cross (Soph., 5-7), Grayson Ertel (Sr., 5-7) will provide firepower. HAAS HALL-FAYETTEVILLE LADY MASTIFFS COACH Mike Moss CONFERENCE 2A-1 2018-19 RECORD 0-17, 0-10 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost to Decatur in the first round of the district tournament. WHO'S BACK? Alexis Peterson (Sr., 5-11), Kessler Cluck, (Jr., 5-5), Kate Terminella (Jr., 5-7), Kyla Johnson (Jr., 5-7), Julia Lehr (Jr., 5-7) and Vivian Sutton (Jr., 5-9). THE SCOOP Only one player graduated from last year's team, so experience will be a plus this season for Haas Hall-Fayette- ville. Moss is in his fifth season as the girls' coach. MOUNTAINBURG LADY DRAGONS COACH Zach Dean CONFERENCE 2A-4 2018-19 RECORD 11-16, 3-9 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in the first round of the regional tournament to Cotter. WHO'S BACK? Maddux McDonald (Sr., 5-8). THE SCOOP The Lady Dragons will lack experience, graduat- ing six seniors from last year's team. A talented group of fresh- men, which finished 23-2, will be asked to contribute quickly. JC WESTSIDE LADY REBELS COACH Karra Busch CONFERENCE 2A-4 2018-19 RECORD 12-16, 5-7 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost to Mountainburg in the first round of the district tournament. WHO'S BACK? None THE SCOOP The Lady Rebels are starting from scratch this season, replacing virtually their entire roster. Busch begins her fourth season as the coach and has built a solid program at Johnson County Westside, including a final four team in 2018. Busch expects to have 11 players on the senior high roster. LAVACA LADY GOLDEN ARROWS COACH Justin Wyles CONFERENCE 2A-4 2018-19 RECORD 20-12, 10-2 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost 37-20 to Riverside in the first round of the state tournament. WHO'S BACK? Sierra Lamb (Sr., 5-4, Sr.) THE SCOOP Lamb is the only returning starter from last season's state tournament team. She will be counted on to continue her strong play at the point from last season. Se- niors Amaya Mendez and Shailey Rudd will also be looked up to contribute along with juniors Ashton Couch and Alyssa Weaver. Six sophomores should also help. The Lady Arrows are undersized and inexperienced overall, but will look to play a faster tempo and take advantage of good shooters. See CLASS 2A, Page 45 Bearcats will also depend on juniors Austin Hill (6- 0) and Zac Costa (5-11), and senior Keaton Canada (5-9). THE SCOOP Booneville lost all five starters and two key reserves from last season's team, three of which signed college basketball scholarships. LAMAR WARRIORS COACH Brett Sampley 2018-19 RECORD 10-18 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in first round of district tournament WHO'S BACK? Returning all-district players in- clude Jamarey Larkin (PG, 5-9) and Ethan Kendall (SG, 5-10), and second-team all-district Drake Bac- chus (6-3). Also back are Jerron Massengale (6-4), Montrell Murray (5-11), Colby Cook (5-9) and Alonzo Gilbert (6-2). THE SCOOP The Warriors return all 5 starters — one senior and four juniors. … Sampley also has a good group of sophomores, led by Bradlee Kemp (6-0), moving up that he expects to contribute … "We were young last season and took our lumps," Sampley said. "Hoping with the experience we got last year and being a year older, we can make a push for the playoffs." PARIS EAGLES COACH Mike Foster 2018-19 RECORD 13-16 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in quarterfinals of district tournament WHO'S BACK? Returnees include seniors Luke Trusty (C, 6-4) and Nick Bazyk (G, 6-1), and soph- omores (G, 5-11), Dylan Krigbaum (G, 5-11) and Caleb Cunningham (F, 5-11). THE SCOOP Paris is a young team with just two seniors on the roster. … The Eagles improved from 10 wins in 2018 to 13 last season. GIRLS CEDARVILLE LADY PIRATES COACH John Six 2018-19 RECORD 14-13 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in quarterfinals of district tournament WHO'S BACK? Seniors Kennedy Vinson, Annali- na Tuempel, Juniors Chloe Morrow (G, 5-3), Anna Hightower (G, 5-7), Katie McBroom (F, 5-7), Katelynn Oden (F, 5-8), and sophomores Sierra Hurst (G, 5-3), Elizabeth Terry (F, 5-9), Carmen Fletcher (P, 5-9) and Taryn Turner (F, 5-8). THE SCOOP This is Six's first season at the Lady Pirates coach. CHARLESTON LADY TIGERS COACH Jason Rucker 2018-19 RECORD 29-3 PLAYOFF RESULT Won district tournament, fin- ished third in regional tournament, lost in Class 3A state semifinals. WHO'S BACK? Senior returning starters include Baylee King (G, 5-4), Payton Rucker (G, 5-6), Alexis Grandison (F, 5-6), Reagan Stubblefield (F, 5-6) and Raegan Oldridge (F, 5-6) and juniors Brook Groen (G, 5-4) and Rylee Merechka (F, 5-9). Newcomers in- clude Addison Newhart, Rylee Ross and Gracie Koch. THE SCOOP Charleston still has plenty of veterans — including 8 seniors — to make another run at a district, regional and state title. … Rucker earned Class 3A All-tournament honors last season. … "Looking forward to the upcoming season and ex- pect us to have a chance at a really good season with the amount of experience we have returning along with the new faces we have coming in," Rucker said. ELKINS LADY ELKS COACH Monica Wells 2018-19 RECORD 13-15 PLAYOFF RESULT Finished third in district tour- nament, lost in first round of regional tournament WHO'S BACK? Junior Tiara Jackson is the Lady Elks' lone returning starter. Returning seniors include Emily Philip, Makenna Hughes, Ashley Brink, and Bryn Shirley. THE SCOOP Wells said the rosters is loaded with underclassmen as 15 players are juniors and soph- omores. GREENLAND LADY PIRATES COACH Alan Barton 2018-19 RECORD 15-11 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in first round of district tournament WHO'S BACK? Just two starters return for Green- land, including senior guards Campbell Hill and Au- brey Campos. THE SCOOP The Lady Pirates are in a rebuilding mode according to coach Barton. … Greenland has just two seniors to go along with five juniors and a sophomore. LINCOLN LADY WOLVES COACH Emilianne Slamons 2018-19 RECORD 25-9 PLAYOFF RESULT Finished second in district tour- nament, finished fourth in regional tournament, lost in quarterfinals of Class 3A State tournament WHO'S BACK? Three starters returning including seniors Robin Kirk (PF, 5-11), Tania Ortiz (PG, 5-3) and junior Kyli Jenkins (G, 5-8). Returning players include seniors Kinley Webb (G, 5-7), Ari Ortiz (G, 5-2), Abby Goldman (G, 5-8), and junior Kyli Jenkins (G, 5-8). THE SCOOP Though losing all-stater Jessica Goldman, the Wolves return 3 starters as well as several veterans from a state tournament team last season. … Five seniors provide Lincoln with veteran leadership. MANSFIELD LADY TIGERS COACH Joshua Bryan 2018-19 RECORD 4-20 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in first round of district tournament WHO'S BACK? Returning starters Makayla Strut- ton (G, 5-6, Jr.) and Amber Elmore (P, 5-9, Jr.) THE SCOOP The Lady Tigers do not have a senior on the roster, which is comprised of 6 juniors, 4 sophomores. … Mansfield also has a 1 foreign ex- change student on the roster this season. WALDRON LADY BULLDOGS COACH Josh Atchley 2018-19 RECORD 5-21 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in first round of district tournament WHO'S BACK? The lone returning starter is senior guard Chelsea Stidman. Key newcomers include ju- nior guard Rheagan Sanford and sophomore center Hailey Stidman. THE SCOOP Stidman led the Lady Bulldogs in rebounding last season. … "We hope to improve from last season," Atchley said. WEST FORK LADY TIGERS COACH Rodney Selph 2018-19 RECORD 15-16 PLAYOFF RESULT Finished fourth in district tour- nament, lost in first round of regional tournament. WHO'S BACK? Returners starters included Han- nah Johnson (5-8, Sr.), Savanah White (5-8, Sr), Lilly Hauser (6-0, Jr), Emma Neyman (5-7, Jr). Key returnees are seniors Brandi Smith (5-9) and Brylee Kutz (5-10). Top newcomers are sophomore C.C. Neyman and junior Joyce Ferguson. THE SCOOP Selph said the team is looking to improve after starting a lot of young players last season. … There are currently 18 players on the Lady Tigers' roster. BERGMAN LADY PANTHERS COACH James Halitzka 2018-19 RECORD 16-21 PLAYOFF RESULT Finished third in district tour- nament, lost in first round of regional tournament WHO'S BACK? Three seniors return for the Lady Panthers — Courtney Menke (G, 5-2), forward Elana Mendez (F, 5-11) and Kylie King (F, 6-0). Also return- ing in junior Mahkynlee Baker (G, 5-1). THE SCOOP Bergman lost only three seniors to graduation. … The team is young with just three seniors and a junior along with six sophomore and a freshman. … Last year was the first losing season for Bergman in five seasons under Halitzka. GREEN FOREST LADY TIGERS COACH Kyle Farrar 2018-19 RECORD 6-21 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in first round of district tournament WHO'S BACK? Seniors Kendall Demeyer (G, 5-9), Maddie Youngblood (G, 5-9), Kiara Taylor (G, 5-6), Skylar Howerton (C, 5-10). THE SCOOP Farrar expects newcomers Saman- tha Delavin (G, 5-6, Soph), Evelyn Lopez (G, 5-4, Jr.), and Bianca Rosales (G, 5-4, Jr.) to contribute right away. "We have a real scrappy bunch that will have to get after it on both ends of the floor to be successful, but the girls have a real camaraderie," Farrar said. VALLEY SPRINGS LADY TIGERS COACH Ryan Johnson 2018-19 RECORD 31-9 PLAYOFF RESULT Won district tournament, fin- ished second in regional tournament, lost in first round of state tournament WHO'S BACK? Seniors Mattie Watkins (G, 5-6), Alea Mullinax (F, 5-6) and juniors Maura Moore (G, 5-6), Bethany Richardson (F, 5-9), Haylie Fry (F, 5-8), and Chloe Avery (F, 5-8). THE SCOOP Richardson earned Class 3A All-Tour- nament honors last season. … This is Johnson's first season, replacing Jerry Thomason. This is Val- ley Springs' third coach in as many years. … The Lady Tigers have won 30-plus games three of the last four seasons. BOONEVILLE LADY BEARCATS COACH Tim Goers 2018-19 RECORD 6-19 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in first round of district tournament WHO'S BACK? Seniors Bailey Moses and Shelby Posey along with Junior Hannah Gregory. THE SCOOP Moses earned all-district honors last season averaging 14.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. This is Goers' first season at the Lady Bearcat coach, replacing Jay Loyd, who retired. Goers has twice been the boys coach for the Bearcats. LAMAR LADY WARRIORS COACH Brandon Schluterman 2018-19 RECORD 26-7 PLAYOFF RESULT Won district championship, finished second in regional tournament, lost in first round of state tournament WHO'S BACK? All-State senior Lakyn Sanders (G, 5-8, 15 ppg.), along with all-district seniors As- pen Williams (9 ppg) and Ginny Nordin (F, 5-8) and all-district junior Amber Brown (G, 5-6, 10 ppg). THE SCOOP Lamar returns four starters and top 3 scorers from a 26-win team last season. "We have a lot of experience coming back from last years group," Schluterman said. "We have some players capable of stepping up and have more depth than we have had in the last couple of seasons." PARIS LADY EAGLES COACH Dustin Williams 2018-19 RECORD 19-11 PLAYOFF RESULT Finished fourth in district tour- nament. Lost in first round of regional tournament. WHO'S BACK? Senior guard KenLeigh Robertson (5-2) along with juniors Jadyn Hart (G, 5-8) and Harlie Watts (G, 5-10) THE SCOOP The Lady Eagles lost a strong se- nior class to graduation. Williams said this year's squad will be young and athletic team looking to be competitive. — Walter Woodie • Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette v Continued from preceding page