Coach: Team works hard

The Izard County Consolidated Lady Cougars are no strangers to hard work. Many of the players have jobs, and each one hits the court hard at practice and in games. Coach Tim Massey hopes their hard work pays off with a successful 2017-18 season. The Lady Cougars finished the 2016-17 season with a 30-7 overall record. Their season ended when they lost 47-29 to Mount Vernon-Enola in the second round of the Class 1A girls basketball state tournament. This season, Massey said, the mix of old and new players will present both challenges and room for growth, but he knows the Lady Cougars are up to the task. “We have a good mix of seniors, but we are young in playing experience in three starting positions, and [senior Sam] King is out with health issues,” Massey said. “We lost a lot from last year but are planning on being very competitive.” The Lady Cougars’ main returning starter is senior Harley Thomason, who averaged 6 points and 7 rebounds per game last season and is one of the best inside players on the team, the coach said. “She is a three-year starter,” Massey said. The coach listed the three top outside shooters for the Lady Cougars as sophomore point guard Laney Rider, new senior Abby Brashear and King. “Those three are good outside shooters,” Massey said. “We have good shooters and pretty good overall quickness.” The beginning of the season might be shaky as some of the new players get used to playing on the team, but Massey seems confident that they will catch their stride and come together sooner rather than later. “We have several new kids on the floor this year,” he said. “It will take some games for them to get that experience they need.” The coach said two of Izard County’s toughest opponents will be Norfork and Mammoth Springs this year. The Lady Cougars play at Norfork on Nov. 17, against Norfork at home on Dec. 15, at Mammoth Springs on Jan. 5 and at home against Mammoth Springs on Jan. 23. “Norfork and Mammoth Spring are both loaded this year,” Massey said. “Our conference (1A-2 North) is very tough.” Despite the tough schedule, the Lady Cougars will hit the court hard each game and work for every point they score. “This team will play hard,” Massey said. “They will get on the floor after loose balls, and they want to win.”