Page 16 - 2018 TR Basketball Preview

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018 | THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASKETBALL PREVIEW
SEARCY LADY LIONS
New head coach expects rebuilding year
STACI VANDAGRIFF/THREE RIVERS EDITION
Searcy sophomore Kylee Crotts tries to dribble around junior defender Harley Lashlee.
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
Kimberly Sitzmann is in her first year as head with the Searcy Lady Lions. Before moving up to the high school level, she was the
head coach for the Ahlf Junior High girls basketball program.
“I am expecting this to be a rebuilding year,” Sitzmann said. “With this being my first year, my players are learning a brand- new system, and we are also learning a brand-new conference.
“I expect us to battle night in and night out, and I believe we might just surprise some teams. I have a solid senior class, but also some up and coming sophomores, who with experience can turn into some solid competitors in our conference.”
Searcy finished 3-26 last year and has two returning starters in seniors Ta’Lor
Branch and Latiana Floyd. The coach said senior point guard Alexis Broadway, a transfer from Riverview High School, will be a good addition to the team. Broadway played basketball for Sitzmann at the junior high level.
“She is very strong and handles the ball and gets to the basket well,” Sitzmann said. “She is a very versatile player, playing well inside and out.”
Sitzmann said Branch is “strong, athletic and gets to the basket well.”
At the perimeter is sophomore Kylee Crotts, and Sitzmann said she is “a hustle player, hard-nosed and shoots the ball well.”
“Sophomore guard Naliyah Hadley is strong, athletic and crafty with the ball,” Sitzmann said. “And Latiana Floyd is very fast and drives to the basket well.”
Despite the team’s small stature, Sitzmann expects the Lady Lions to be quick and strong.
“I think we can get up and down the floor quickly and create chaos for other teams,” she said. “Our weaknesses include our small stature and depth off the bench. We will have to learn how to play to our strengths and be patient on offense and be resilient on defense.
“I think defense will be what we need to focus on most,” Sitzmann said. “My senior guard, Whitney Davis, along with the other players already mentioned, have the ability to create chaos.”
Sitzmann said the 5A East Conference is full of tough opponents.
“We will have to come with a solid game plan every night and carry that game plan out,” she said. “With this being a new conference and my first year as the head coach, this year will be a learning experience for us.
“We have set our goals and are working hard to achieve them.”
The Lady Lions will open the season Nov. 13 against Benton.
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