Lady Warhawks return 3 starters from last season

BY MARK BUFFALO STAFF WRITER

Mount Vernon-Enola’s Lady Warhawks were three points away from playing for a state championship in 2016-17. Mount Vernon-Enola advanced to the Class 1A state semifinals, where the team lost to Bay 53-50. Bay won the state title, beating Wonderview in the championship game. Mount Vernon-Enola finished as the runner-up in the regional tournament. The Lady Warhawks beat Rural Special 54-29 in the first round and Wonderview 62-56 in the semifinals. Nemo Vista beat the Lady Warhawks 33-19 in the finals. In the first round of the state tournament, Mount Vernon-Enola beat Izard County Consolidated 47-29. The Lady Warhawks beat Strong 52-27 in the state quarterfinal round. The Lady Warhawks return three starters from last year’s squad, which finished 30-11 overall and 12-5 in league play, which was good enough for third place. The returning starters are seniors Kyndal Hardy and Kenzie Woodruff and junior Gracie Raby. Third-year Mount Vernon-Enola coach Adam Carlton said his best inside player is Hardy. His best outside players are Raby, who plays point guard, Woodruff, juniors Alaina Ellis and Taylor Keathley, and sophomore Alyse Ellis. Carlton said his team has a chance to have another run in the state tournament. “Last year, we went to the Final Four of state,” Carlton said. “Hopefully, with the experience we have coming back and some good young players, we can exceed that goal.” Carlton said his team’s strength is its experience. “We have a lot of experience coming back from last year’s team,” he said. “We have a good group of kids who work hard and a good group of 10th-graders coming up to help.” Carlton said Mount Vernon-Enola’s biggest concern is integrating the sophomores into the rotation. Those sophomores include Ryleigh Sprague, Alyse Ellis, Hanna Brock and Olivia Booker. Carlton said his team has a challenging schedule that includes defending state champion Bay, which Mount Vernon-Enola played Friday. Other tough opponents include Wonderview, defending Class 2A state champion Quitman, and Pangburn, which Mount Vernon-Enola beat 40-30 on Oct. 17. The Lady Warhawks play at Wonderview on Dec. 15 and at home Jan. 30. They play at Quitman on Jan. 2 and at home Feb. 2. “Our goal is to try to win our conference, which will be tough since we are in the conference with Wonderview, Guy-Perkins and Nemo Vista,” Carlton said. “Hopefully, with the experience we have, we can have a shot of returning to the state tournament to go another step further.”

We have a lot of experience coming back from last year’s team.” ADAM CARLTON MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA GIRLS COACH