Page 24 - 2018 TR Basketball Preview

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018 | THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASKETBALL PREVIEW
MCCRORY LADY JAGUARS
Lady Jaguars small, but have solid shooters
BY ANGELA SPENCER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The McCrory Lady Jaguars basketball team is a blend of older and younger players this year, said coach Kevan Moore, who hopes to harness his players’ talent to both push to victory and train up the younger players.
“We have a good mix of youth and expe- rience,” Moore said. “Scoring will come from several players.”
Seniors Jameka Harston and Grace Immel will be two of the top starters for the Lady Jaguars, the coach said.
“Grace Immel has a toughness inside with a soft touch,” Moore said. “Jameka Harston is a good outside shooter who can take it off the bounce.”
Kendal Dollar will also be a key player this year with “an outstanding jump shot that can create off the dribble,” Moore said.
Size is one deficit on the Lady Jaguars’ team this year, Moore said, but there are several solid shooters who can put points on the board.
Moore said there are a variety of factors that could impact the Lady Jaguars’ season.
“Small numbers will cause us to fall short of last season if injuries happen,” Moore said. “We will be able to match last season if the seniors step into leadership roles and lead the team, and we will exceed last season if the sophomores can step up and help the seniors to contribute and work together.”
Three big games to watch include the game at Palestine-Wheatley on Dec. 10, the game at Earle on Jan. 4 and the home game against Cross County on Jan. 8, Moore said.
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said. “Johnson Capps will have a huge role on both the offensive and defensive ends this year. He shoots it very well and can guard anyone on the floor. Blain Willard will be one of the best defenders in our league this year.”
Jahem Washington and Elias Mean will also make an impact on the court, the coach said.
“Jahem Washington’s leadership attributes and basketball IQ, along with his ability to stretch the floor, will log him big minutes this year,” Ragsdale said. “Elias Mean is an explosive athlete who can block a lot of shots, rebound very well and has
the ability to step out and shoot with range.” The experience of this year’s Bulldogs basket- ball team will far outweigh the youth represented
on the bench, Ragsdale said.
“Most of our core are juniors this year but
played very important roles on last year’s team. I believe this is the most talented group we have had here in a while,” he said. “Losing in the regionals last year has really lit a fire under these guys, and we have made it a point to compete harder every day to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
“This team is as close and as competitive as I’ve ever seen, which makes for a team that is tough to beat.”
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Brooke Glaze, who took a year off and is expect- ed to get a lot of playing time, the coach said.
“She is a multitalented athlete, participating in both cheer and golf, in addition to basketball. She has great court vision and will be one of our best passers,” Cooper said.
All three tournaments the Lady Bulldogs will participate in — Joe T. Robinson in November,
Lyon College in early December and the Lonoke Invitational over Christmas break — will feature traditionally talented girls basketball teams, but Cooper is confident the Lady Bulldogs will come out of the season with a good record.
“I believe we will exceed our success from last year,” the coach said. “With everyone back and lots of individual improvement made over the summer, we should take huge steps forward this season.”