Coach: Strengths are quickness, rebounding
Despite an overall record of 16-12, the Cabot Lady Panthers still had a successful season, playing in the Class 7A state tournament. To end its season, Cabot lost to Springdale 49-46. Cabot returns only one starter from that team, senior Lesley Roberts, who averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds a game last season. “We’ve got seniors, but they don’t have much experience,” said Cabot coach Carla Crowder, who has won more than 800 games in her career. “Some of them are going to have to play.” This year’s senior class includes Chloe Thompson, Makenzie Wagner, Roberts, Allie Grisham, Hannah Chandler and Morgan Westbrook. “Makenzie Wagner and Lesley Roberts are the two that have experience,” Crowder said. “Lesley didn’t start all the time. She started most of the time.” Roberts plays either small forward or power forward, while Wagner will play point guard. Crowder said her best outside players include Roberts, junior Brooklyn Stracener and Wagner. “They all have experience, and they’re good shooters,” she said. Inside players will include junior Gabby Dogson, sophomore Emily Belin and Thompson. “They are good around the basket and are good rebounders,” Crowder said. Crowder listed team strengths as quickness, rebounding and work ethic. “We hope to be quicker this season and have great rebounders,” she said. Crowder said games against North Little Rock, Conway, Fort Smith Northside and Little Rock Central will be tough games. They are are all 7A-Central games. Cabot plays North Little Rock on Jan. 26 and Feb. 23. The Lady Panthers play Conway on Jan. 12 and Feb. 9. They play Northside on Jan. 23 and Feb. 20 and Central on Jan. 16 and Feb. 13. Despite her team’s inexperience, Crowder said, she’s looking forward to her 14th season at Cabot. “The kids have been working hard,” she said. “I’m excited about their work ethic. We’ve got to really focus and do the little things. If we do the little things right, we’ll have a lot of success. “We hope to have a great season. We have a lot of kids improving, and they’re showing lots of effort in practice.” Cabot will open the season Nov. 13 in the Heavenly Hoops Tournament at Mount St. Mary in Little Rock.