Will league's success in state end?
With Bearden advancing to the 2A State semifinals, the Lady Bears gave the league its fifth final four participant in a row. That’s pretty impressive for any league.
*2007 – Bearden
*2006 – Strong – state champion
*2005 – Strong – state champion
*2004 – Parkers Chapel and Union – state semifinalists
*2003 – Union – state runner-up
In 2002, Sharonda Davis and Mary Beth Gilmore led Union to the state quarterfinals before they got bad-called against Poyen. So, that’s six years in a row our league has advanced in the state tournament.
That’s quite a resume but does it end this season?
I’m concerned.
Strong coach Gerrald Koonce hopes his team can get back. The Lady Bulldogs lose just one player from this year’s state quarterfinal team. I’ve already written about how much Maranda Parker means to Strong both on and off the court.
On the court, how do you replace somebody who can play point guard on offense and defend the post on defense?
That’s Koonce’s task and while I’m not sure he can get it done, I wasn’t sure he could get this year’s team in the state tournament, either.
I like Parkers Chapel from a talent standpoint. They lose Destiny Harper and some other good role players but the Lady Trojans have a chance to be good if they have a productive off-season.
In my opinion, the players at Parkers Chapel will have to get a little stronger and a little meaner. The girls’ game gets more and more physical as the season progresses. Touch-me-not fouls are no longer called especially in the postseason.
The Lady Trojans have the reputation of being a finesse team. They will have to shed some of that if they want to compete for a state title.
Top-notch players like Carlisle’s Julie Inman and Jessieville’s Mandy Masino – they have the skills and finesse of a ballerina but also the horns of a bull.
A couple Lady Trojans need to grow some horns this summer.
Norphlet will desperately miss Ellana White, who stepped up big time as a senior. But, with what the Lady Leopards have coming back, they will contend in the conference. I don’t know if they’re ready to compete outside the conference, however.
Of course, I’m the one who underestimated them this year.
Obviously, Bearden loses its heart-and-soul in seniors Nekeia Rideout and Mariane Rogers. Junction City has other problems to worry about before it can even get to basketball.
I’m pretty sure the best team in the area next year will be in Smackover. I should say the most talented team will be in Smackover. The Lady Bucks had everything set up perfectly to get to the 3A State Tournament this year and didn’t.
That bothers me. Coach Marsha Cowling needs to upgrade the schedule, as that conference provides nothing in the way of competition. That might’ve caught up with her team in the regionals.
Of course, Smackover is no longer in the 2A.
The original topic was our area 2A league’s success in state and does it end this season.
I hope not. But, I am concerned.
*2007 – Bearden
*2006 – Strong – state champion
*2005 – Strong – state champion
*2004 – Parkers Chapel and Union – state semifinalists
*2003 – Union – state runner-up
In 2002, Sharonda Davis and Mary Beth Gilmore led Union to the state quarterfinals before they got bad-called against Poyen. So, that’s six years in a row our league has advanced in the state tournament.
That’s quite a resume but does it end this season?
I’m concerned.
Strong coach Gerrald Koonce hopes his team can get back. The Lady Bulldogs lose just one player from this year’s state quarterfinal team. I’ve already written about how much Maranda Parker means to Strong both on and off the court.
On the court, how do you replace somebody who can play point guard on offense and defend the post on defense?
That’s Koonce’s task and while I’m not sure he can get it done, I wasn’t sure he could get this year’s team in the state tournament, either.
I like Parkers Chapel from a talent standpoint. They lose Destiny Harper and some other good role players but the Lady Trojans have a chance to be good if they have a productive off-season.
In my opinion, the players at Parkers Chapel will have to get a little stronger and a little meaner. The girls’ game gets more and more physical as the season progresses. Touch-me-not fouls are no longer called especially in the postseason.
The Lady Trojans have the reputation of being a finesse team. They will have to shed some of that if they want to compete for a state title.
Top-notch players like Carlisle’s Julie Inman and Jessieville’s Mandy Masino – they have the skills and finesse of a ballerina but also the horns of a bull.
A couple Lady Trojans need to grow some horns this summer.
Norphlet will desperately miss Ellana White, who stepped up big time as a senior. But, with what the Lady Leopards have coming back, they will contend in the conference. I don’t know if they’re ready to compete outside the conference, however.
Of course, I’m the one who underestimated them this year.
Obviously, Bearden loses its heart-and-soul in seniors Nekeia Rideout and Mariane Rogers. Junction City has other problems to worry about before it can even get to basketball.
I’m pretty sure the best team in the area next year will be in Smackover. I should say the most talented team will be in Smackover. The Lady Bucks had everything set up perfectly to get to the 3A State Tournament this year and didn’t.
That bothers me. Coach Marsha Cowling needs to upgrade the schedule, as that conference provides nothing in the way of competition. That might’ve caught up with her team in the regionals.
Of course, Smackover is no longer in the 2A.
The original topic was our area 2A league’s success in state and does it end this season.
I hope not. But, I am concerned.
posted by Tony at
6:21 AM
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