Page 26 - 2018 TR Basketball Preview

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018 | THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Good Luck Augusta
Bill Crabtree,PD
Owner and Pharmacist 601 Main St, Augusta
870-347-2620
AUGUSTA LADY RED DEVILS
Augusta returns ‘crucial leaders’ in 2018
BY ANGELA SPENCER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Coming off a 2017-18 season that ended
in a 9-13 overall record, coach Jordan Long expects major improvement from the Lady Red Devils.
“Last year, we underachieved as a team. We lost games we should’ve won,” Long said. “This year, I expect us to win conference and district.”
Returning starters for Augusta include seniors Tia Tripp and Jharysse Neal.
“Both will be crucial leaders for our team,” Long said. “Jharysse Neal has great footwork for a post player. What she lacks in height she gains by being able to get great post-up position, no matter where she is in the paint. ... Last year, Tia tied for third in the state with most points per game. She has great court vision, she can pass, and she has great hands and quick feet that make her a great asset on defense. She has a great work ethic, and she’s always trying to
AUGUSTA RED DEVILS
NOV. 6 .......................................PANGBURN NOV. 8 .................................(G) @NEWPORT NOV. 12 ...................................... MCCRORY NOV. 13 ......................... @ABUNDANT LIFE* NOV. 16 ................@LISA ACADEMY NORTH* NOV. 26 ....... @WHITE COUNTY TOURNAMENT
DEC. 18 ....................................@MCCRORY DEC. 27 .............. (B) @BEEBE TOURNAMENT JAN. 7 .................................. @CLARENDON JAN. 8 ......................... LR QUEST ACADEMY JAN. 11 ............................ ABUNDANT LIFE* JAN. 14 ..............................CROSS COUNTY JAN. 15 .................. LISA ACADEMY NORTH*
NOV. 27
NOV. 30
DEC. 4 ...................................... MARVELL* DEC. 6 .................................. (G) NEWPORT DEC. 7.................................. @BRADFORD* DEC. 11 .................................... BRINKLEY* DEC. 13-15 ........ @PANGBURN TOURNAMENT DEC. 14 ................................... @MIDLAND*
improve her skills. She’s also an excellent student.” Long said Tripp, along with Shalom Emerson and Chastity Johnson, will be threats both inside
and outside.
One new contributor to the team is Emma
Driver, a 6-2 sophomore.
“This is her first year to play high school
sports, but she is long and lean and will make a great addition to our team on both sides of the ball,” Long said. “Point guard Makenna Heard, a junior, has improved her outside shooting since last season. Tajanek Barnes, a sophomore point guard transfer from McCrory, will be an outside
................................... CLARENDON ........................................ DES ARC
JAN. 18
JAN. 22
JAN. 25
JAN. 29 ..................................... MIDLAND* JAN. 31 ........................... @CROSS COUNTY FEB. 1 .......................@LR QUEST ACADEMY
................................... @MARVELL* ................................... BRADFORD* .................................. @BRINKLEY*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
threat as well. Both of them are great ball han- dlers, which will help us limit turnovers.”
Two major games not to miss are the Nov. 12 and Dec. 18 matchups with McCrory, the coach said.
“Our towns are 10 miles apart, and I’m from McCrory, so anytime you can be a part of this rivalry, either as a coach or a player, is always fun and exciting,” Long said. “Both of our conference games with Brinkley will also be must-see games.”
Long said that being moved to 1A will be a new experience for the program, and he hopes the fans come out to support the team.
AUGUSTA RED DEVILS
Red Devils’ strengths are defense, quickness
BY ANGELA SPENCER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
In his 13th year as the Augusta High School boys basketball coach, Roy Daniels is ready to get into the 2018-19 season.
The Red Devils ended last season with 15 wins and 13 losses. This year, Daniels will lean on the team’s defense and shooting to get more wins on the books.
Returning starters include seniors Jalarin Briscoe and Trevon Rucker and junior Zachary
Brown. Briscoe averaged 20 points per game with 5 assists and 3 steals last year. Rucker av- eraged 12 points per game with 7 rebounds, and Brown averaged 6 points per game.
Coach Daniels said shooting and quickness are two of the team’s top strengths, but with seven sophomores, being a young team could be a weakness.
Games to watch in Augusta this year include games at McCrory on Nov. 12, at Clarendon on Nov. 27 and at Brinkley on Dec. 11. Daniels said Clarendon might be the Red Devils’ toughest opponent this season.