Young Lady Miners bring experience to court
Looking at the Bauxite Lady Miners team roster, one might notice a lot of sophomores. The 10th-graders far outweigh the upperclassmen, but coach Joanna Scott is still impressed with the experience and competitive nature her players will bring to the court. “We have some tough kids who know how to compete,” she said. “We are going to be young this year with a lot of sophomores. Fortunately, last year [sophomore] Lauren Bainter and [sophomore] Erika Qualls gained a year of experience as freshmen. Erika Qualls is the most competitive kid I know who is working hard at the point guard position. She has been working on improving her shot in order to be more of a threat.” Bainter has been working hard at the post position, Scott said, and this year will give her more time to improve. “With a year under her, she is maturing as a player and has some experience playing on the high school level. She has been working harder in practice to get better at finishing.” Finishing is one common theme Scott said the Lady Miners need to work on this year. Last year’s season ended in a 14-13 record, and Scott said the girls just fell short in too many games and need to follow through with every play they pursue. “From every sprint to every layup to each game, we want to finish,” Scott said. “We lost two games at the end of last year that were crucial to making it to regionals. Our goal this year is to finish games and make it to state.” Bainter and Qualls aren’t the only players who have been working hard to improve. “[Sophomores] Lynsey Mangum, Bree Hardin and Makayla Kramer have been competing hard in practice and getting better,” Scott said. “Lynsey knocked down some big shots last year for us in junior high, and she has the ability and work ethic to do the same in senior high this year. “Our only junior is Destiny McClain. I am really excited about how she has been practicing. She is the type of player you can put in almost any role, and she competes hard in that role. She did a good job getting to the rim last year but sometimes wouldn’t finish. This summer and in practice, she has done a much better job of finishing. I am expecting Destiny to play a bigger role for us this year.” Senior Daniele Singleton and sophomores Cynia Johnson, McKenna Knott-Debord and Shelby Thornton have been in volleyball, but Scott said she’s excited for them to get back in practice. “Daniele is a senior who started some games last year. She does a good job being vocal and bringing more energy into practice,” Scott said. “Cynia is a post who could be a big asset to us this year. I am excited to see her and Lauren Bainter work together to be a dynamic duo. McKenna transferred to Bauxite this year from Cutter. She is the type of kid you want on your team. This summer, she proved to be a very coachable kid with a great attitude to get better. Shelby Thornton is a hard worker who has been getting better.” Central Arkansas Christian will be a tough opponent, Scott said, but she’s excited about the Jan. 20 game. “They have the No. 1 recruit in the recruiting class of 2018,” Scott said. “To me, this will be a very exciting game for our kids. I think playing against such a skilled player is a great challenge and an opportunity. “Overall, we will be a fun team to watch compete,” Scott said.