Lady Bulldogs ready to defend state title

Quitman’s Lady Bulldogs went unbeaten against Class 2A competition last year, winning the first state title in school history during a 33-3 campaign that ended with a 45-22 thrashing of Hector in the championship game. And while they return their outside shooters from that squad, they will not have the size inside for 2017-18. “It will be a huge challenge to repeat last season’s performance,” coach Tim Hooten said. Two other Hootens will lead Quitman in 2017-18. Senior Rieley Hooten, the coach’s daughter, is a 5-8 wing player who was MVP of the 2A-4 East District Tournament and an all-state and all-state-tournament selection, and was named to the Class 2A Starting 5 by the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association. Junior Nicki Hooten, the coach’s niece, led the Lady Bulldogs in 3-point shooting last year en route to all-state-tournament honors. Despite graduating four seniors, including Reagan Rackley, MVP of the state-championship game, the Lady Bulldogs look to be competitive again this season. “I think we will be sound in our fundamentals,” Coach Hooten said. “We should compete in all our games. We have a good mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores.” Joining Rieley Hooten inside will be sophomore Lucy Holland. Coach Hooten said she was strong and physical as she averaged 24 points per game for the junior high team. Nicki Hooten leads the outside players, but there are plenty of others. Junior Lily Holland “can shoot the 3 and drive,” the coach said. She was limited last season with an ACL injury, but he said she is back at full strength this year. Other outside players expected to contribute include seniors Savannah Henry and Josey Bradley; junior Alyssa Harrison; and sophomores Autumn Johnson, Halle Bennett, Carson Rackley, Hailey Trawick and Erin Stephens. “Savannah Henry is the most athletic player on this year’s team,” Coach Hooten said. “She is a great soccer player who is learning to play basketball. Autumn Johnson was the leading 3-point shooter on the junior high team. Halle Bennett is our most improved player moving up from junior high. Josey Bradley played a big role in the regional tournament last season and has really improved her shooting ability over the summer. She adds quality depth to the guard position. “Carson Rackley brings additional size and shooting ability from the junior high. Alyssa Harrison is physically the strongest player on the team. She will help back up post players and secure rebounds. Hailey Trawick can shoot the 3 and can fly the floor with her speed. Erin Stephens is one of the more athletic players moving up from the junior high.” Senior Aspen Johnson, a three-year starter, will begin the season in a cast with a broken foot, and sophomore Gracie Smith was pushing for a starting guard position before injuring a knee, the coach said. “The team could use Aspen’s defense and 3-point shooting, but it’s hard to know if she will make it back,” Hooten said. “We will have to see how Gracie heals and if she can come back at the same level she exited.” He said the team strength will be depth. “We will be able to play 10 deep,” Hooten said. A weakness? “Lack of size,” the coach said. “We will have to make up for it with speed and quickness.” He said Wonderview and Mount VernonEnola will be the logical favorites in the 1A-2A District 7. “They should be 1 and 2 in the 1A division,” he said. “They both return experience and quality players. Both will have five players on the floor who are capable of scoring.”