Arkadelphia girls return 3 starters looking to make a run
La st year’s middling record for the Arkadelphia Lady Badgers should be bested this year. The team returns three starters, and they’re all seniors. Those players are Guard Ka’brelle Stulgate, who averaged 10.6 points per game last year; guard Allie Harris, who averaged 10.3 points per game; and Kyla Goshen, who returns to her spot in the post. Coach Jason Jones replaces 38-year head coach Lynn Rook, who was cited July 15 with driving while intoxicated for the second time in as many years, according to reports by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Jones said Goshen will be his best inside player this year. He attributes her good play to experience and length. The two best outside players on the team are Harris and Stulgate, who are good shooters and can drive to the basket, the coach said. Looking forward to the team’s goals for this year, Jones said he wants to make an appearance at state. That’s a step further than the team made it last year. “We qualified for the 4A South regional tournament in 16-17, and the goal is to get to that point again and win a game at the regional tournament,” Jones said. “[That allows us] to qualify for the 4A state tournament.” The team’s main strengths are experience and athleticism, although the team could have problems with chemistry, the coach said. “We’ve only been together since school started,” Jones said. He said the Lady Badgers plan to overcome that with good depth. Looking at the schedule, there are games that will be important for the postseason. “Our games with Malvern are always good rivalry games,” Jones said. “Games versus Robinson, Fountain Lake and Malvern will determine seeding for the 4A-7 District tournament.” It’s not just the 4A games that will be tough for the Badgers. They play in a blended conference of Class 3A and 4A schools. “Our 3A/4A-8 blended conference has good basketball programs with good coaches,” Jones said. “So those games will be tough.” Overall, the team should get a boost from their seniors, who are looking to take advantage of their last year of high school basketball. “This group is determined to have a good year, Jones said. “They’ve worked hard, and the seniors want to leave their mark on the program.”