Lady Eagles look to soar to state tournament

Head coach Cody Richey expects the West Side Greers Ferry Lady Eagles to have an exciting season this year, despite losing some key pieces to graduation. “We brought up some excellent players who have put in work to make me feel confident as a coach that we will exceed our success from last year,” Richey said. “Our district is tough, but our region has been very tough as a whole for the past five to 10 years.” Richey said the main goal for West Side this year is to reach the state tournament for the first time in nine years. “This is a goal we feel like we have a great chance to accomplish,” he said. After finishing 20-14 overall and 9-4 in the 1A-2 South Conference, West Side returns three starters, including senior and college prospect Ciara Roberson, junior forward Faith Birmingham and junior shooting guard Kaitlin Towell. “We will be starting two 6-foot post players this year,” Richey said. “I look for this tandem to be key players in our success. “Faith Birmingham will continue to build off her solid sophomore season and continue to be a threat on both sides of the floor.” The coach said sophomore Alex Sutherland “looks to be the spark we need to overcome the loss of senior leaders from last year.” “These two players complement each other so well that we look to control the boards every game,” he said. Richey said Towell will be West Side’s best outside threat this year. “Every game, she is an offensive threat from beyond the arch,” he said. “Losing her on the floor will be foolish for teams because she has the ability to score at a high level.” West Side plans to use a fast-pace offensive to push the floor for easy baskets. “We not only have the bigs inside to overpower teams, but we are fast as well,” Richey said. “We want to push up and down the floor and be smart about doing it. “Our point guard duo in Ciara Roberson and Madison Bailey are what will make the team.” Richey said their decision-making has improved drastically over the summer. “They are both offensive threats inside and out,” he said. “They will have a large part in controlling the outcome of the game.” The coach said Kaylynn Finch and Makayla Silas will also have a chance to make an impact. “Attitude and discipline will decide our season,” Richey said. “How we approach each game and the execution of our game plan will decide if we are average or above average.” West Side will face Izard County Consolidated at the Bad Boy Mowers Classic on Nov. 21 and state contender Mount Vernon on Nov. 3. “[ICC] had a great season last year, and [I’ve heard] talk of them being just as good,” Richey said. “It will be a good early test. “Mount Vernon will be a tough physical game for us. They are, for the most part, the same team. It should be a great game.” Defending state champion Quitman on Nov. 6 will be a good test, too, Richey said. “I think if you watched us last year, you will see a pretty different team this year,” Richey said. “We have changed a lot of things that we do. “We are ready for things that we struggled with last year. We are still young, but the youth of the team have the opportunity to be the leaders of the team.”