Page 2 - 2018 TL Basketball Preview

2TT
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018 | TRI-LAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASKETBALL PREVIEW
HASKELL HARMONY GROVE LADY CARDINALS
Lady Cardinals under new tutelage
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
First-year head coach Levi Spinks said it is important for the Harmony Grove Lady Cardinals to build on last year’s regional berth, so “we will play every
conference game like it’s the most important on our schedule,” he said.
“Despite only returning two full-time start- ers, we have some other players who played minutes and are ready to step into a bigger role this year,” Spinks said. “I like our overall depth and think we have some versatility with our wings.”
Last year, Spinks was an assistant coach for the boys team at Greenbrier High School, un- der head coach Mike Simmons. Prior to that, Spinks was the head coach for both the boys and girls teams at Rural Special High School.
Spinks said the opportunity at Harmony Grove came up, and he knew some of the
PHOTOS BY STACI VANDAGRIFF/TRI-LAKES EDITION
Lady Cardinals senior guard Raven Newton prepares to take a shot during practice.
administration and the athletic director, Ricky
Mooney. Junior forward Hailey Webb makes a free throw
“Our shooting and perimeter play should be our strengths,” Spinks said. “Defensively, we should be able to pressure opponents into turn- overs and force the pace of play some as well.”
during a recent Cardinals practice.
Returning this year is senior forward Kylie Moore, who averaged 10 points a game last year and was named all-conference.
“She is probably our most versatile scorer,” Spinks said. “She can shoot and post up. She is strong around the basket. She can score in a lot of different ways.
“And as a senior, she will, hopefully, provide some leadership for us, too.”
The coach said returning senior Raven Newton is a good defender and a solid point guard. “She is more of a traditional point guard,” he said. “She can get the ball down the floor and guard the opposing team’s guard and put
ball pressure on.
“She is a really good athlete and affects the
whole game in every way.”
Junior guard Kailey Southerland started a
few games last year, and the coach said she is a really creative scorer.
“She is a combo guard who can play the one or two,” Spinks said. “She is small, but she
HASKELL HARMONY GROVE CARDINALS
NOV. 6 ......................................... ROSE BUD NOV. 9 ....................................... @OUACHITA DEC. 4 ........................................... BAUXITE DEC. 6 .................... CUTTER-MORNING STAR DEC. 11 ........................ CONWAY CHRISTIAN DEC. 14 .................................. GLEN ROSE* DEC. 18 ......... @LR EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE* DEC. 20 .......... JACKSONVILLE LIGHTHOUSE* JAN. 4 .................................. @MAYFLOWER* JAN. 8 ................................ LISA ACADEMY*
JAN. 11 ............................. @BAPTIST PREP* JAN. 15 ..... @CENTRAL ARKANSAS CHRISTIAN* JAN. 18 ................................. @GLEN ROSE* JAN. 22 ............. LR EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE* JAN. 25 ........ @JACKSONVILLE LIGHTHOUSE* JAN. 29 .................................. MAYFLOWER* FEB. 1 .............................. @LISA ACADEMY* FEB. 5 .................................. BAPTIST PREP* FEB. 8 ....... CENTRAL ARKANSAS CHRISTIAN*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
Senior post Macey Jones goes for a basket during practice.
can catch it at the 3-point line and drive to the basket.”
Spinks said Harmony Grove lacks size, so rebounding and defending the interior will be issues the Lady Cardinals will have to work through.
“Glen Rose is a rivalry game, along with being a conference opponent,” Spinks said. “I expect them to be a really good team, and the games should have a great atmosphere.
“Bauxite and Cutter Morning Star are also both within a close drive for us and should be really good teams.”