Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1310134
30 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS BASKETBALL | 11.22.2020 GIRLS BENTONVILLE LADY TIGERS COACH Tom Halbmaier CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 27-1, 14-0 PLAYOFF RESULT Co-state champions with Fayetteville. WHO'S BACK? Maryam Dauda (Sr., 6-5), Jada Brown (Jr., 5-7), Riley Hayes (Sr., 5-8), Kadie Kultgen (Sr., 5-4), Gracie Eaves (Sr., 5-8) THE SCOOP Declared co-champions with Fayetteville in Class 6A after state finals canceled because of covid-19 concerns.. … Bentonville appears loaded again with a team led by Maryam Dauda, who will continue her basketball career at Baylor. …. Dauda averaged 16.6 points and 8 rebounds per game while earning all-state and state tournament MVP as a junior. …. Shot 56 percent from the field and scored over 1,000 points. … Jada Brown is an all-state and all-conference player who averaged 10 points per game as a sophomore. …. Riley Hayes is back after averaging 7 points and making all-conference as a junior. BENTONVILLE WEST LADY WOLVERINES COACH Randy Richardson CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 6-22, 2-12 WHO'S BACK? Marybeth Dyson (Jr., 5-4), Laynee Tapp (Jr., 5-10), Maysa Willis (So., 5-9), Madison Phillips (Sr., 5-9), Kylee Renick (Sr., 5-7), Mona Ketia (Jr., 5-5), Ceira Cravens (Jr., 5-7). THE SCOOP The Lady Wolverines return the nucleus from last year's team, but still will field a relatively young unit. … Dyson, Willis and Tapp all scored around 6 points per game a season ago. … Coach Richardson also expects to get contributions from newcomers transfer Sarah Musson, Ivy Johnson, Olivia Nickson, Savannah Rangel and Ashley Rangel, a 5-10 freshman. FAYETTEVILLE LADY BULLDOGS COACH Vic Rimmer CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 24-5, 12-2 PLAYOFF RESULT Co-state champions with Bentonville. WHO'S BACK? Claudia Bridges (Sr., 5-4), Caroline Lyles (Jr., 5-11), Allison Byars (Sr., 5-7), Sydney Kincaid (Sr., 5-10), Emma Stanton (Jr., 6-2). THE SCOOP Declared co-champions with Bentonville in Class 6A after state finals canceled because of covid-19 concerns. …. Eliminated 2019 state champion Fort Smith Northside in state semifinals. …. Must replace all-state guards Sasha Goforth, who signed with Oregon State, and Coriah Beck, who signed with Memphis. … Returning staters include Claudia Bridges, a three-year starter at point guard who'll continue her career at North Alabama, Sabrina Saitta, and Caroline Lyles, a junior who has 20-plus Division I offers. … Fayetteville expects major contributions from Allison Byars, Carlyn Johnson, Loren Lindsey, and sophomore Wynter Beck, a cousin to Coriah Beck. FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE LADY BEARS COACH Rickey Smith CONFERENCE 6A-Central 2019-20 RECORD 26-4, 14-0 PLAYOFF RESULT Advanced to semifinals of Class 6A state tournament WHO'S BACK? Jersey Wolfenbarger (Sr., 6-5), Tracey Bershers (Sr., 6-2), Hatianna Releford (Jr., 5-10). THE SCOOP Wolfenbarger is an Arkansas signee and the 7th-ranked prospect in the nation by ESPN. Also, the Arkansas high school girls Gatorade Player of the Year for 2019-2020. …. Bershers is an Oklahoma State signee. …. Hatianna Releford is a returning all-state player for the Lady Bears, who've won three consecutive conference championships. FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE LADY MAVERICKS COACH Robert Brunk CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 0-26, 0-14 PLAYOFF RESULT Did not qualify for state tournament WHO'S BACK? Ashlyn Roffine (Sr., 5-7), Essynce Norwood (Jr., 5-1), Addi Branham, (Jr., 5-9). THE SCOOP Robert Brunk is back for his second season at Southside, which has lost 50 consecutive games in the last two years. …. Southside returns three players with experience. …. Brunk is hopeful the Lady Mavericks will be more competitive with newcomers that include sophomores Iana Perry and Tinsley Freeman and freshman Sierra Smith. ROGERS HERITAGE LADY WAR EAGLES COACH Josh Laymon CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 16-13, 7-7 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in the first round of the state tournament WHO'S BACK? Quiara Jones (Sr., 5-8), Carlee Casteel (Soph., 5-8), Jazmine Perez (Sr., 5-8). THE SCOOP Josh Layman is back for his second year as head coach of the Lady War Eagles. …. Layman arrived from Class 1A Norfork, where he led teams to a 195-75 record in seven seasons. … Heritage must replace five seniors from a team that finished 16-13 last season. … Quiara Jones is a senior and returning starter for the Lady War Eagles. …. Senior Jazmine Perez is back after playing sparingly last season. ROGERS HIGH LADY MOUNTIES COACH Preston Early CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 16-12, 7-7 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in first round to Bryant WHO'S BACK Gracie Carr (Sr., 5-10), Camiran Brockhoff (5-5, Sr.), Kate Miller (5-11, Sr.), Taylor Treadwell (Sr., 5-9), Presley Risenhoover (5-5, Sr.), Aubrey Treadwell (Soph., 5-5). THE SCOOP Rogers returns 6 of its 8 top players from a year ago, when the Lady Mounties finished in the top four of the 6A-West Conference for the 12th time in 15 seasons. In addition to a wealth of experienced players, Rogers also expects contributions from freshman point guard Ava Maner. SPRINGDALE HAR-BER LADY WILDCATS COACH Kimberly Jenkins CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 22-8, 10-4 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost to Conway in second round of state tournament WHO'S BACK? Kania Starks (Sr., 5-6), Caylan Koons (Jr., 5-4), Pacious McDaniel (So, 5-7). THE SCOOP Har-Ber anticipates having another strong team led by Caylan Koons, who averaged 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. …. Plenty is also expected of Pacious McDaniel, who averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists as a freshman. CLASS 6A TEAM CAPSULES BY RICK FIRES File photo/NWA Democrat-Gazette Bentonville's Maryam Dauda works for a shot during a game last season. She has already scored already over 1,000 points in her high school career and will try to help the Lady Tigers return to the state finals. The center has committed to Baylor.