NWADG Basketball

2017

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Returning four starters and more than 48 points per game off a team that led the 4A/3A District 1 girls standings with a 14-4 record has many believing Gravette will be a team to beat again this season. However, Lady Lions coach Will Pitt- man said his team will have a much dif- ferent look without the inside presence of 6-foot forward Stephanie Pinter. "We've got a lot back, but the one we lost we'll miss a lot," Pittman said. "We'll be a completely different team. We have four starters back, but that's not set in stone. We have seven to eight players who could start on any given night." Three players return from last sea- son's team who averaged double digits in scoring in seniors Tori Foster and Kyrstin Branscum and sophomore Cal- ly Kildow. Foster averaged 11 points, 2.9 steals and 2.4 assists per game to power Gravette's up-tempo attack. "Tori Foster will be the trigger on of- fense," Pittman said. "But we will prob- ably have a different leading scorer a lot of nights because of the way we like to play." Kildow, an Arkansas Razorbacks soft- ball pledge, led the team with 11.8 points per game. A sharpshooter from beyond the arc, Pittman said Kildow has worked hard to improve her overall game and can score in a variety of ways. Branscum, who averaged 10.5 points and 4 rebounds per game, is a three-year starter who has grown to 5-11. Sophomore Gabby Gregory will con- tribute as will Jessica Bookout, Bernice Garcia and Teagan Dixon, who com- bined for more than 15 points per game a year ago. Dixon was the leading scor- er in a first-round regional tourney loss against eventual state runner-up Potts- ville and was a catalyst of the team's full- court press that forced 15.2 turnovers per game. Dixon led the way with a team- best 93 assists and 114 deflections. "She is a very important player for because of her motor and she has great- ly improved her offense," Pittman said. "We're going to have to play fairly fast because we're not very big and we have to force the pace a little bit and score in different ways, although I believe our shooting will be better." Berryville doesn't play in the 4A/3A District 1 but will be the team Gravette and others will have to deal with in the postseason. The Lady Bobcats won the 4A-1 Conference tournament and lost to Pottsville in the state semifinals. They return 6-1 junior post player Hannah Morrell and strong guard play behind Aspen and Baylea Smith. Huntsville, another 4A-1 Conference member that plays in the 4A/3A District 2 during the regular season, is always strong under legendary coach Charles Berry. The Lady Eagles lost leading scor- er Delanie Tipton (12.8 points per game) but guards Maci Campbell and Makayla Watkins will pick up the slack after av- eraging more than 20 points combined last season. Prairie Grove is another to keep an eye on with juniors Emily Grant, Larisha Crawford and Lexie Madewell as well as seniors Madi Vinson, Audrey Doering and Sarah James Stone. The Lady Tigers Sunday, November 5, 2017 37 2017 Northwest Arkansas Basketball MIKE CAPSHAW NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Gravette looks to improve behind solid returners 3A/4A Girls High 5 CHRISTYN WILLIAMS Central Arkansas Christian 5-11 Sr. No. 1 college prospect in the nation according to ESPN, led the 4A in scoring (26 points), rebounds (8.8), steals (2.5) and blocks (1.8) per game last season. SYDNEY GILLHAM Hoxie 6-0 Jr. Averaged 18.8 points and 10.7 points per game for a team that finished 30-6 a year ago. LIA ENOS Shiloh Christian 5-10 Jr. Led the Lady Saints by averaging an area-best 19 points to go along with 9.3 rebounds per game. FIONA WILSON Greenland 5-9 Jr. Averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds per game. Scored 20 or more points in 18 games to help Lady Pirates reach state semifinals. TORI FOSTER Gravette 5-8 Sr. All-stater led Lady Lions with 10.9 points, 3.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds with 80 steals. C L A S S 4 A / 3 A G I R L S File Photo/NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Gravette's Tori Foster will be expected to lead Gravette's offense more this season after the Lady Lions' guard averaged 11 points, 2.9 steals and 2.4 assists per game as a junior last season. File Photo/NWA Democrat Gazette/SPENCER TIREY Greenland's Fiona Wilson (24) averaged 17 points per game and scored at least 20 points in 18 of the Lady Pirates' games as a sophomore last season. See RETURNERS, Page 38

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