Lady Badgers to return strong core

The Beebe Lady Badgers finished the 2016-17 season by advancing to the Class 5A state tournament. However, their season ended with a 51-43 loss to Watson Chapel in the first round. Beebe returns three of five starters from last year’s squad, which went 20-11. Returning starters include senior Libbie Hill, who averaged 16.5 points, 4.3 rounds and 1.8 steals per game; senior Katie Turner, who averaged 9.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game; and junior Marianna Richey, who averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. “Our strengths are strong leadership and experience,” said seventh-year Beebe coach Greg Richey, who is averaging 20 wins a season at the White County school. “We have talented players who can play multiple positions, and this should make us hard to guard.” At 5-foot-10, Hill is noted as the best outside player for the Lady Badgers. “She’s athletic and provides a lot of different options by posting up and is also a very good 3-point shooter, along with the ability to hit pull-up jump shots on the drive,” Coach Richey said. “She sees the floor very well and is a really good all-around player.” Other good outside players include Richey, junior Abbie Henley, senior Jacolby Williams, junior Kyia Jackson, junior Chloe Flowers, sophomore Kelcie Jackson and sophomore Madison Arrowsmith. “[Marianna Richey] is a good outside shooter with the ability to get to the basket,” Coach Richey said. “She’s a very good defense and has the ability to guard bigger guards and small forwards. She is a good rebounder and has a good pull-up jump shoot. She had a good sophomore year and will be looked upon to be a solid scorer and defender for us.” Henley figures to be the starting-point guard after playing as the backup a year ago. “Abbie is a solid shooter from outside and a good defender,” Coach Richey said. “She brings good quickness and ball handling at that position and has a point-guard mentality to distribute the ball and run the offense.” Best inside players are Turner, sophomore Riley Bridges, junior Courtney Bemis and sophomore Hannah Gammill, the coach said.

“Katie can post up or pop out and shoot the 3,” Richey said. “She’s good off the dribble, and she provides a hard matchup.” Bridges, at 6 feet tall, can block shots, Richey said. “She can shoot away from the basket,” he said. “She’s only a 10th-grader and will get stronger and more experienced.” Richey said his team will be young on its bench this season. “But I look for them to get better and better,” he said. “The ability is there, and it is fun watching them develop.” Beebe has a challenging nonconference schedule this season. The Lady Badgers will play at Greene County Tech on Nov. 17, at Sylvan Hills on Nov. 28, at Farmington on Dec. 1 and at Alma on Dec. 2. “They will be tough nonconference opponents,” Richey said. “When conference starts, Batesville and Vilonia will definitely be games to watch.” Beebe will play at Vilonia on Jan. 9, then host the Lady Eagles on Feb. 2. Beebe will play at Batesville on Jan. 23 and host the Lady Pioneers in the regular-season finale Feb. 16. Hill plans to sign with NCAA Division II Henderson State University in Arkadelphia during the early signing period in November. “Katie Turner has a lot of interest, and I expect her to sign with someone in the spring,” Richey said. “Marianna Richey is a junior, and she has had a lot of inquiries, and I look for her to play at the next level after she graduates. We also have other players who will draw a lot of interest as they develop.” Beebe will open the season Nov. 15 at Benton. “In a nutshell, this team has experience and returns three starters from a team that won 20 games last year,” Richey said. “We’ve got good leadership and experience. This should help us to have a solid year. “The 6A teams in the state are very good, but I don’t see a reason why this team can’t compete with anyone.”