Lady Panthers looking to improve
Greenbrier girls coach Tobin McCammon is looking for a big move in 2017-18 after a five-win season last year. Greenbrier finished 5-22 overall, including a 2-6 run through the 5A-West. “We are much improved over last year,” said McCammon, starting his seventh season atop the program. “We are young and in need of experience, but we have a good group of young ladies to work with.” Breleigh Simmons, a 5-7 senior guard who averaged 12 points per game last year, is the Panthers’ only returning starter. “She is an excellent shooter and ball handler,” McCammon said. “She is our best outsider weapon.” Inside, the Panthers will look to 6-1 junior Sara McGee and 5-9 sophomore Hannah Donham. “Sara McGee is coming off an injury but is a great rebounder,” McCammon said. “She can score around the basket. She was starting last year but only played six games before being sidelined for the season. Hannah Donham is also coming off an injury, but she shows promise. She just needs experience.” McCammon said he will have very good depth this season. Shooting will be another strength. “We are also a bit bigger than we have been in the past, so we hope to be able to have a strong inside game as well,” he said. The team’s major weaknesses will be youth and inexperience. “It will take some time to settle into a consistent lineup,” he said. The Panthers will be tested early in the Clinton Tournament. “It’s a fantastic setup, although it’s early in the season,” McCammon said. Greenbrier plays in combined classification 5A-6A District 2, along with Batesville, Beebe, Morrilton, Mountain Home, Searcy and Vilonia. The 5A-West, traditionally a powerhouse, also includes Alma, Clarksville, Farmington, Harrison, Maumelle, Morrilton and Vilonia. Harrison won the league last year and went on to reach the Class 5A state quarterfinals. Alma finished second, Farmington third and Clarksville fourth. Farmington went to the semifinals. Alma and Clarksville ended their seasons in the opening round.
We are young and in need of experience, but we have a good group of young ladies to work with.” TOBIN McCAMMON GREENBRIER GIRLS COACH
“We find everyone to be extremely competitive and challenging,” McCammon said. “We do play a good schedule, and we hope it will have us ready for conference play when the time comes. Any 5A-West game is always a tussle.” The Panthers will open the season at Fountain Lake on Nov. 9. McCammon hopes that will be the beginning of good things for the team. “Since we will start out young and inexperienced, I think we will see steady progress if we can jell and remain healthy,” he said. “Our point-guard play is going to be a key, as we need to consistently play the position effectively. This team has some kids who can shoot, and I do like our inside players and their tenacity around the basket.”