Veteran Lady Miners provide solid footing for state bid
Taking on a dual role as athletic director and Bauxite girls basketball coach, Joshua Harrison has big shoes to fill this season, but he said he is up for the challenge. “Three months ago, I didn’t plan to be in this position and coaching again,” Harrison said. “I am blessed to have the opportunity to coach this team. This is an amazing group of young women.” With returning starters, including senior forward Destiny McClain, junior guard Lynsey Mangum and junior center Lauren Bainter, and a 20-10 record from last season, Harrison said he is confident in his goals for the season: “Win conference, make it out of regionals, and get a bid to 4A state.” McClain is a tough matchup on the outside as a result of “her strength, athleticism and competitiveness,” Harrison said. She can score off the dribble and shoot clean from the outside. Bainter is a “big, strong, solid post who has a great touch and good feet,” making her a force inside, the coach said. Though the Lady Miners lost in the first round of the regionals last year, after winning the conference, Harrison said, they are determined to make it through to the regionals this year. “[The 4A-7 Conference] is no joke every year, and our region, with the likes of 4A monsters Star City, Monticello and a few new 5A faces, will be a worthy test,” Harrison said of this season’s matchups. “We play Sheridan twice and a really good Bigelow team late in the season.” Having an overall veteran team also helps the Lady Miners’ goal of reaching state and conquering such competitors, the coach said. Sophomore guards Olivia McDade, Faith Robinson and Kate Duncan bring “tenacity and a competitive spirit to the floor,” especially on the defensive end, the coach said. Another team advantage is the team’s juniors, who have played together on the varsity level for a couple of years, Harrison said. Junior Bree Hardin is “amazing at running the floor and has the potential to bust out and be a standout this year,” he said, and junior Cynia Johnson and junior point guard Erika Qualls return to the team after a year off and “bring athleticism, length and a difficult matchup to the lineup.”