Fairview or Strong?

As I was adding up the stats after Camden Fairview's 75-39 execution of Smackover Wednesday at the SAU Tournament, Lady Cardinal assistant coach Melissa Thames walked past and uttered in my ear, "that's Camden Fairview."
This was in reference to my story last week at El Dorado, when I jokingly said, Strong, uh, sorry, I mean Camden Fairview.
Apparently, some folks in Camden took offense, even though Fairview's starting lineup includes four players who were at Strong last year.
To those offended I say, "bite me."
Obviously, I was joking. But, did you really think I wasn't going to mention it in the article.
Folks in Union County have watched these girls play since they were nine years old. They've won back-to-back state championships at Strong and made this area a hotbed for college recruiters.
So, when they make their first appearance back in the county after moving to Fairview, I'm not supposed to acknowledge the fact they grew up here?
Again, I say, "bite me."
The Lady Cardinals have a great track program and, I suppose a great gymnastics program for those who care. But, that school has not been known for girls basketball. All of a sudden Coach Ronald Rogers is hired and brings everything from Strong except for Herring's Furniture and no one is supposed to notice? Wow, how did Fairview's girls get so good all of a sudden. They must've worked really hard over the summer. It probably has nothing to do with those girls from STRONG that just joined the team.
Can you smell that? That's sarcasm.
Fairview has one of the best teams in the state this year. I hope they win the state championship. When they do, the trophy will read "Camden Fairview." But, everybody knows where they came from.

Lady Leopards win in double overtime

Norphlet opened up its conference season Tuesday with a hard-earned 45-41 win over Stephens in double overtime. The Lady Leopards improved to 1-1, 1-0 while the Lady Roadrunners fell to 9-3, 1-1.
Norphlet led 31-18 late in the third before Stephens went on a 16-3 run, that included four 3-pointers. The Lady Roadrunners tied the game 34-34 on two free throws by LaTerrica Porchia with 1:03 left in regulation.
Stephens had the final shot but missed a 3-point attempt, sending the game into overtime. Trailing 38-36, Norphlet got the ball inside to Ellana White on an inbounds play and the senior scored with 28 seconds left, sending the game into the second OT.
Stephens scored first but Norphlet scored seven of the next eight points, including a 3-pointer by Yakema Tate, which gave the Lady Leopards a 41-40 lead. Kionna Stewart came off the bench to hit 3 of 4 free throws.
White led Norphlet with 16 points. Teneshia Lewis scored 12 and Tate added seven.
Nehkia McBride led Stephens with 17 points with Porchia scoring 13.
Strong 64, Hamburg 28
Strong jumped out to a 15-2 lead in the first quarter and improved to 2-1 Tuesday with the nonconference victory.
Anastacia Dismuke scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Lady Bulldogs. Maranda Parker scored 16 with Breuna Dixon and Ashley Parker adding nine and eight, respectively.

Thanksgiving Basketball

Tuesday, I found myself a little under the weather, so I took a sick day. How did I spend my sick day, that's right, I covered a basketball game.
I had to be there when former Strong coach Ronald Rogers brought his Camden Fairview team to El Dorado. The Lady Cardinals won 63-44, although the Lady Wildcats hung with them for a half.
Fairview started four former Lady Bulldogs, which, when you think about it, just doesn't sound right.
I've heard of coaches taking assistants and a player with them on a new job. But, Coach Rogers took an entire team. He probably would've taken Teddy Bears if he could've fit it in his truck.
In all seriousness, the Lady Cardinals will be hard to handle this season.
Also, El Dorado competed well. Coach Corey Smith has his team headed in the right direction.
As much as I enjoyed watching the Fairview-El Dorado game, I wish I could've seen Parkers Chapel's 60-59 win at Smackover. Sophomore Dana Gray scored 35 for the Lady Trojans, who stayed unbeaten at 7-0. Sophomore Kendra Marsh scored 25 for the Lady Bucks, who were playing their season opener.
Parkers Chapel has already shown it will be a factor this season. Smackover could also be in for some postseason action in Class 3A. Coach Marsha Cowling could use a little good luck. Sophomore starter Nickole Frazier had knee surgery and will miss the season. Sophomore guard Viana Stanley, who moved to Smackover from El Dorado, is having eligibility issues. Her playing status is uncertain.
Having either one of those players would take the Lady Bucks up a notch. Having both of them might put them over the top.
Also on Tuesday, Strong got its first win in a big way, bombing Hampton 71-29.
The Lady Bulldogs, who disappointed me greatly in their season-opening loss to Parkers Chapel, obviously fixed some things. I'm looking forward to seeing them again as hopefully they will be involved in the league race.

Lady Trojans win at Strong

Strong coach Gerrald Koonce wondered how his Lady Bulldogs would react when they lost a game. Parkers Chapel made sure he would get his answer, perhaps even sooner than he wanted it.
The Lady Trojans used an 18-0 run in the second quarter to pull away, handing the two-time defending state champions a 52-40 defeat.
Strong’s loss ended a 44-game win streak against Class 2A opponents. The Lady Bulldogs hadn’t lose a home game or a conference game in two years.
The win improved Parkers Chapel to 6-0. Strong was playing its first game of the season.
“They looked like they had played five games and we looked like we had played none,” said Koonce. “We have a lot of room to improve and I think we will. I don’t think they like losing. They’re not happy.”
In the other lockerroom, the Lady Trojans were quite pleased as they were still chanting and singing when the senior boys’ game tipped off.
“It’s a big win,” said Parkers Chapel coach Mark Young. “It’s against a quality team with quality players at their gym. It’s the first conference game. It’s a big win for our program. I think any time you win at Strong, it’s a quality win.”
The Lady Trojans played their best game of the season as their perimeter shooting finally began to find its mark.
Parkers Chapel never trailed, although it took nearly four minutes for either team to score. Dana Gray’s 3-pointer broke the seal at the 4:27 mark of the opening quarter. The Lady Trojans went on to take an 11-2 lead early in the second.
Ra’Lishia Gatson came off the bench to spark the Lady Bulldogs with back-to-back buckets. Anastacia Dismuke’s basket cut the deficit to 11-9 with 4:33 left in the second quarter.
But, Koonce’s worst fears were realized when the Lady Trojans, who hadn’t shot the ball well earlier in the season, went on a 3-point binge. Destiny Harper drained a 3-pointer before Hope Phillips knocked one down from long distance. After Harper hit two free throws, Phillips banged home another 3-pointer. D’Atra Harper hit two from the line before Destiny Harper’s 3-pointer at the buzzer pushed the lead to 27-9 at the half.
D’Atra Harper scored to start the third to complete the 18-0 run, which pushed the lead to 29-9.
Parkers Chapel’s lead hovered around 20 points for much of the second half until Strong’s late surge, which cut the final margin to 12.
“Defense was the key, no doubt about it,” said Young. “Our ability to put pressure on them and force some early turnovers forced them to play faster than what they wanted. Our defensive effort was extremely good tonight.”
The Lady Trojans showed a balanced attack, led by Destiny Harper’s 16 points. D’Atra Harper scored 15, hitting 9 of 16 from the free throw line. Gray had 11 points with Phillips hitting the two 3-pointers.
Dismuke led Strong with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Breuna Dixon and Gatson each scored eight.

Lady Dragons drop opener

Junction City turned the ball over at the worst of times Tuesday and fell to Summerfield 47-40 in the Lady Dragons' season opener.
With the score tied 34-34 midway in the fourth, Junction City committed seven turnovers in a two-minute span. The Lady Rebels took advantage with an 11-0 run and went on to the victory.
"I'm disappointed in our effort at the end of the game," said Junction City coach Jamie Ball.
Marizette Mayweather led Junction City with 17 points with Jasmine Moore scoring 10.
Jamicha Curry led Summerfield with 18 and Chasity Williams added 14.
Parkers Chapel 54,
Nevada 29
The Lady Trojans jumped out to a 14-2 lead and cruised to an easy win on the road Tuesday. Parkers Chapel improved to 5-0 with its second victory over the Lady Bluejays.
Dana Gray and Hannah Morgan scored 12 points apiece for the Lady Trojans, who had 11 players score in the game.
Fredrica Henry scored 16 for Nevada.

El Dorado wins in tournament

El Dorado's Lady Wildcats gave new coach Corey Smith a nice house warming gift Monday as they pounded Star City 46-31 in the Heavenly Hoopfest at Mount St. Mary's. The season opener was Smith's first as El Dorado's head coach.
The Lady Wildcats were in control from the outset, leading 12-9 after one quarter and 22-16 at the half.
Alecia Williams led El Dorado with 12 points. Henderson State University signee Krystal Herring scored eight and K.K. Woods dded seven with 11 rebounds.
Tammy Thornton scored 14 for Star City.

Lady Trojans win tournament

CHOUDRANT, La. - Sophomore Dana Gray scored all of Parkers Chapel’s points in the fourth quarter Saturday as the Lady Trojans held off Summerfield 39-38 in the championship game of the Choudrant Tournament.
Parkers Chapel improved to 4-0 with the victory, which was far from pretty.
“We really struggled,” said Coach Mark Young. “We couldn’t get our shots to go down. It was one of those grind-it-out games where you hope you can make a play at the end.
“It was a hard-fought game. It’s nice to be able to win when you don’t play your best. We definitely didn’t play our best tonight. But, we’re real happy to win this tournament.”
The Lady Trojans, who led by five midway in the third, trailed 33-31 going into the fourth quarter.
After some sloppy play on both ends, Gray took the ball from the wing into the lane, flipping up a running jumper, drawing the foul while making the shot in the process. Gray’s free throw put Parkers Chapel up 34-33 with 6:45 remaining.
The score stayed the same as the Lady Rebels couldn’t score and the Lady Trojans couldn’t take care of the ball. Finally, after a three-minute scoreless stretch, it was Gray who found the net, driving for the bucket and the foul. Her three-point play with 3:11 left stretched Parkers Chapel’s lead to 37-33.
The Lady Rebels hit two free throws to trim the deficit to two before Gray was fouled on a drive to the hoop and hit both free throws for a 39-35 lead with 2:12 remaining.
Summerfield scored with 1:38 left to cut the deficit to two. The Lady Trojans had trouble protecting against the Lady Rebels’ fullcourt pressure. Summerfield stole the ball and was fouled. The Lady Rebels hit one free throw to slice the lead to 39-38 with 1:01 left on the clock.
Parkers Chapel turned the ball over again with 47 seconds left. Summerfield missed in the lane with Destiny Harper claiming the rebound for the Lady Trojans with 19 seconds left. Parkers Chapel would call another timeout with 6.2 ticks on the clock.
The Lady Trojans inbounded the ball to Gray, who was fouled with 3.4 seconds on the clock. Gray, who was 9-for-9 at the line at that point, finally missed the front end of the 1-and-1. Summerfield’s Chasity Williams got the rebound but her halfcourt heave missed at the buzzer.
Gray led Parkers Chapel with 19 points and nine rebounds. Destiny Harper scored 11 with seven boards and four steals. D’Atra Harper scored five with six rebounds.
Williams led the Lady Rebels with 14 points.
“It’s good to win a close game early in the season,” said Young. “It gives you confidence that we can win games like this down the stretch.”
Parkers Chapel opened the tournament with a 59-43 win over Dubach. Gray led the way with 21 points.
The Lady Trojans beat Simsboro 54-30 in the semifinals behind Gray's 20 points. Destiny Harper and D'Atra Harper added 12 and 10, respectively.

Season Openers

Parkers Chapel opened up the 2006-07 basketball season Tuesday with a convincing 42-28 win over Nevada County. The Lady Trojans used a 3-D offensive attack, led by sophomore Dana Gray along with Destiny Harper and D'Atra Harper, who combined for 37 of the team's 42 points.
“They had the hot hands and we tried to get them the ball,” said Coach Mark Young. “We had some open shots for other people and they just didn’t go down. They sensed the need to take over with their athleticism and they did. Most of the baskets they made were athletic baskets. It was nice to have three players in double figures. I’m proud for that.”
Gray scored 17 points in her first senior high game. Destiny Harper scored 10 points with three assists and three steals. D'Atra Harper chipped in with 10 points off the bench.
Bridget Martin scored 10 for Nevada.
Woodlawn 33, Norphlet 31
WOODLAWN - Ellana White scored 11 points and Tanesha Lewis added nine points, but it wasn’t enough, as Norphlet fell at Woodlawn 33-31 in their season opener on Tuesday night.
After falling behind 20-9 at halftime, the Lady Leopards went on a 17-4 run and took a 26-24 lead in the fourth quarter, but Norphlet couldn’t hang on.
“We came out a little flat and got behind early,” said Norphlet coach Justin Welch. “They played really hard, but I wish we would’ve come out a little quicker.”

Bearden Jamboree

I went to the Bearden Saturday to watch Smackover and Parkers Chapel in preseason jamboree action. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the complete Lady Buck roster as Nickole Frazier was injured before I arrived and didn't play in the win over Hampton.
Also, apparently Viana Stanley, a transfer from El Dorado, can't play because her former school won't release her.
That whole situation is unfortunate. Wouldn't it be great if some of these big-school officials actually tried to do what was best for the child, just once.
Anyway, that's another story.
Parkers Chapel was impressive, in spurts. Sophomore Dana Gray looked good and the Lady Trojans' defense was very aggressive. Harmony Grove nearly rallied for the win, however, hurting Parkers Chapel with fullcourt pressure. The Lady Hornets' Malorie Akin missed a layup at the buzzer that would've given Harmony Grove a one-point win, instead of the one-point loss.
I'm still looking for big things from the Lady Trojans, who may be one more perimeter player away from a conference championship. I believe Coach Young will get the ball handling issues handled.
I was little disappointed in Smackover but, that was not the lineup I envisioned for the Lady Bucks this season. If they can get all their talent on the floor at once, I still believe Coach Cowling's club can do well in Class 3A. Don't be surprised to see Smackover and Harmony Grove at or near the top of that league.
Also, while I didn't see Bearden, Hampton's girls aren't as weak as I was led to believe. They will still struggle but folks will have to play to beat them, which is a very good thing for this league.
In Hamburg, Strong's girls lost in jamboree action to Star City and Hamburg. These setbacks mean nothing. I don't know about Hamburg but Star City is always tough to beat.
The Lady Bulldogs should be okay. If the current roster remains intact and healthy, they will be a factor in the postseason.
I'm also excited about what Jamie Ball is doing in Junction City. The young coach tried to get into either of the preseason jamborees but was too late. The Lady Dragons are working hard for Ball, who inherits a team with little to no depth. The athletes are there, especially with the apparent healthy return of Jasmine Moore from knee surgery. The senior looked good when I watched them shoot around last week.
The jury is still deliberating on Norphlet's future. From what I've seen and heard, it could go either way.