Page 6 - RVO Basketball Preview 2015

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2015
| RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASKETBALL PREVIEW
CONWAY WAMPUS CATS
GIRLS
Conference: 7A/6A Central
Coach: Ashley Nance, sixth season Assistant coach: Jeff Gifford
2014-15 record: 25-7, 12-2 in confer-
ence, lost to Fayetteville in the Class 7A state championship game, 80-65
Returning starters: Alexis Tolefree, a 5-7 senior guard
Best inside players: Fut’ra Banks, a 5-9 junior forward, is a physical player with the ability to finish around the rim. She can run the floor and handle the basketball on the perimeter, but her strength comes from her inside presence, Nance said. Maggie Evans, a 5-9 junior forward, is one of the Cats’ best rebounders. Nance said she has a natural instinct and the heart of a rebounder on both ends of the floor.
Best outside players: Tolefree has led Conway in scoring the last two seasons. Nance said she is one of the best guards in the state. As the only returning starter this season, she will have to take on more of a leadership role on the floor. “Lex has the ability to make big plays from every po- sition on the floor,” Nance said. Savannah Lowe, a 5-8 junior guard, will be a big part of Conway’s outside game with her ability to handle pressure and to hit the outside shot. Hailey Estes, a 5-8 senior guard, has been a big part of the Wampus Cats’ success over the last two seasons with her ability to come in and knock down a big shot. Nance said she would take on more of a leadership role on and off the floor this season.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “There will be some adjustments with losing six seniors and four starters from the previous season,” Nance said. “We do have a core group of young ladies who know what it takes to be playing in the postseason. We must handle adversity that will come with the adjustment period early on.”
Team strengths: Guard play, physical strength, toughness
Team weaknesses: Depth, experience as a team, inside presence
Games to watch: At Cabot on Nov. 24; Springdale at Buzz Bolding Arena on Dec. 5; Wampus Cat Tournament Dec. 10-12.
Toughest opponents: Nance said the 7A Central features a lot of good teams with great coaches. “If you aren’t prepared every
CONWAY GIRLS continued on 7VV
VINCENT BURTON/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Conway’s Alexis Tolefree follows through on a jumper during practice.