Coach: Lady Ramblers ‘hungry’ to upset critics

Rose Bud’s Lady Ramblers had a great season last year but picked the wrong night to play below average, coach Bradley Moss said. “[We] got bounced early. Hopefully, with this group of seniors, and having some state tourney experience now, we can bounce back and make a run,” he said. The 3A-2 Conference team finished the 2016-2017 season with a 27-5 overall record, he said, and will come into the season with three returning starters: Savannah Lacy (12.4 points per game, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists), Jenna Hipp (8.8 ppg, 3.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists) and Kaitlyn Smith (10.2 ppg, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists). Sophomore Hope Hartle stands out on the team as an inside player, the coach said. “She is very physical and super athletic for her size.” Moss said. “[She] can stretch the floor with her perimeter shooting.” Moss named senior Jenna Hipp, senior Savannah Lacy, senior Kaitlyn Smith and junior Gracie Hartle as outstanding outside players as well. “I will depend on them all to handle it and keep the pace where we need it,” he said. “They all have the ability to shoot the three ball. Moss said the seniors work on their own, getting extra shots up and often being the first to the gym and the last to leave. The team’s strengths include guard play and their ability to shoot, but their lack of size, tempo and being more physical than opponents are weaknesses, he said. “I think that we will be able to play quickly. We have enough skill at our guard positions that we can get up and down the court and equalize some of our lacks in the size department. I think I can put five kids on the court who can shoot it at all times,” he said. The team had some trouble rebounding last year, he said, but players have been working hard to be more aggressive. If Moss had to choose one word to describe the team’s attitude, he said it would be “hungry.” “We really felt we could have made it further last year and as a whole, and we were disappointed with how it ended. They really want to make it this year, prove some people wrong and prove we’re good enough to make a run here,” he said. Mountain View, Harding Academy and Riverview are the games to watch this season, Moss said. “All are very talented and will be better this year than they were [last year],” he said. Moss expects Bald Knob to be one of his team’s toughest competitors and said they always brought large crowds last year. Moss said practices have been very competitive this year, and teammates are pushing each other every day to improve. “[We have an] experienced group of seniors and have some good younger players who will step up and play a large role,” Moss said.