Lady Eagles to focus on ‘rebounding and defensive toughness’

The Mayflower Lady Eagles had to say goodbye to four seniors who graduated last year, but coach Lacy Frost said that doesn’t mean the team can’t adjust and be successful. Last year, the team was 16-12 overall and 10-6 in the 3A-5 Conference. Frost, in her sixth year at Mayflower, said players will be moving into new roles this season to fill the holes. A familiar face will be senior Bella York, 5-7, who averaged 7 points per game, 4 rebounds and 2 assists last year. She started on the senior high team as a sophomore and junior. Frost said York, who has experience and shooting skills, and Alexis Letson, 5-2, a senior with speed, will be counted on outside. “We have several quick guards,” Frost said. “Bella York and Angel-Grace Duncan, 5-4, a sophomore, are both great 3-point shooters.” The coach also put senior Jaclyn Cozzens, 5-6, in that mix. Frost also pointed to Montana Batt and Shyanne Smith, both 5-6 senior post players. “Those are two seniors that I expect to step up and play big minutes,” Frost said. The toughest opponent Frost expects to face is Central Arkansas Christian because of highly recruited Christyn Williams, who is sought after by the likes of the University of Connecticut and a long list of other schools. “We don’t have height, so it’s our goal to focus on rebounding and defensive toughness,” the coach said. “[These players] work hard, get along and are so much fun to coach. I love coaching these ladies; they come to practice ready to get better every day. They push each other to improve, and they are very accepting of the challenge put in front of them this season,” Frost said. “Any year you graduate four seniors, you have to have different players step up the next year into new roles. This group is coachable. My goal is for them to improve as the year goes on, and I expect them to be a completely different team in February than when we start in November.” Frost, who played basketball at Mountain View High School and Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, coached at Lead Hill in Boone County and was the assistant coach at North Little Rock High School before coming to Mayflower. She will be assisted by Alaina Riley in her first year as a coach. “We are going to have new leaders this year, and their leadership on and off the court will be vital to our success this season,” Frost said. “This year’s seniors were seventh-graders when I was first hired at Mayflower. They will be hard to say goodbye to when they graduate.”