Lady Devil Dogs aim for improvement this year
Morrilton’s Lady Devil Dogs slipped to a 9-20 record last season, but with six players with starting experience back, Carin McNabb’s team looks to rebound in 2017-18. “We are looking to improve on our success from last year,” McNabb said. “We played a lot of sophomores and lost 10 games by six points or less. The experience we gained from that, along with several seniors who have played lots of minutes, will hopefully translate into us playing more confident and free.” Back to lead Morrilton are Zee Wright, a 5-9 senior forward; Quanya Hilton, a 5-2 senior guard; Chania Kemp, a 5-2 senior guard; Tamia Templeton, a 5-10 junior forward; Caitlyn Williams, a 5-7 junior guard; and Mary Kate Kordsmeier, a 5-8 junior guard. Wright led the team in rebounding last year. “She is an explosive player who can get to the rim,” McNabb said. “Quanya Hilton and Chania Kemp are great defensive players who play extremely hard and create havoc. Tamia Templeton is a strong player who can play inside and out when needed. Caitlyn Williams handles the ball and gets us to where we need to be. Mary Kate Kordsmeier is a good 3-point shooter.” McNabb said Wright, Templeton and 6-2 sophomore post Alena Ross will be the Lady Devil Dogs’ go-to players inside. “Zee Wright is athletic and can jump up and shoot around the rim and can get by you,” she said. “Tamia Templeton is strong and athletic and can make moves to get around defenders. Alena Ross is getting better and more comfortable every day.” Outside, Morrilton will look to Hilton, Kemp, Williams, Kordsmeier and 5-8 junior guard Maddie Adams. “Q Hilton is quick with the ball and is getting better at decisions in the paint,” McNabb said. “Chania Kemp is getting more confidence in shooting the basketball. Caitlyn Williams is working hard to improve her outside shooting, Mary Kate Kordsmeier is our best consistent 3-point shooter. Maddie Adams has a very quick release on her shot and can get hot from the 3-point line.” McNabb, who played on some of Joe Foley’s great teams at Arkansas Tech, said she has several college prospects on this squad. “Zee Wright is athletic and explosive,” she said. “Tamia Templeton is strong and works extremely hard. Mary Kate Kordsmeier could play college basketball because she can shoot the 3 very well, and Caitlyn Williams could because she can handle the ball and shoot.” Depth will be a strength for the Lady Devil Dogs this season. “I think we have more players with more experience, and the addition of several sophomores who can hopefully come in by conference time and give us a few minutes will help us pressure and play up-tempo basketball,” McNabb said. A weakness? “Scoring was our biggest weakness last year, and we will have to see if we can be better at that this year,” the coach said. “Until we prove it, it will be a weakness.” The Lady Devil Dogs will play in combined classification 5A-6A District 2 with Batesville, Beebe, Greenbrier, Mountain Home, Searcy and Vilonia. The 5A-West, traditionally a powerhouse, also includes Alma, Clarksville, Farmington, Harrison, Maumelle, Morrilton and Vilonia. Harrison won the league last year and went on to reach the Class 5A state quarterfinals. Alma finished second, Farmington third and Clarksville fourth. Farmington went to the semifinals. Alma and Clarksville ended their seasons in the opening round. McNabb said all 5A-West games will be key, especially those against Maumelle, Greenbrier and Vilonia. In 2017-18, the Lady Devil Dogs look to reap what they’ve sown over the past couple of tough seasons. “I expect this team to be much more confident and relaxed this year,” McNabb said. “I think that will translate into more success. The experience we have gained by playing young players the past two years should really pay off if we stay together and play hard. “I believe these young ladies are ready to take the next step.” McNabb’s coaching staff has deep basketball roots. Marcus Kordsmeier is the son of Chris Kordsmeier, the longtime head coach at Conway St. Joseph who led the Lady Bulldogs to a state championship. McNabb hired her brother, Craig Pinion, whose coaching roots go back to Foley at Arkansas Tech. She hired him from Atkins to coach seventh- and eighth-graders. “His past head-coaching and assistant-coaching experience can help our program reach the next level,” McNabb said. Her other assistant is Tyler Pearson. The Lady Devil Dogs will open the season with a benefit game against Providence Academy of Rogers on Nov. 7. They’ll get Maumelle at home on Nov. 14 to open 5A-West play.