Returning starters give confidence to Lady Jackets in conference change
The Clinton Lady Jackets racked up 31 wins last season and rounded out the year as the 3A-2 Conference champions, 3A-2 District champions and 3A Region 2 champions, ultimately making an appearance as one of the 3A State Final Four.
This season, however, will look a little different as the team moves into the 4A-5 Conference, but head coach Matthew Post expects to see the same competitiveness out of his team and looks for nothing less than every effort to execute a repeat performance.
“I expect our team to compete for conference, regional and state championships, just like last year,” Post said. “We have 80 percent of our offense back from last year, and we understand what we must do to win, moving up to 4A. I am looking forward to watching this team compete every night.”
The Lady Jackets will be in position to meet those expectations, as their team contains a group of highly decorated returning starters.
Senior Reese McDonald, 5-5, is expected to lead the team again this year, having finished last season with an average 14.6 points and 4 steals per game, as well as being named 2022 all-state and to the 2021 and 2022 all-state tournament teams.
Post said Reese has the ability to score in all three phases of the game: midrange, at the rim or from the 3-point line. She has been offered the opportunity to play college basketball at Crowley’s Ridge College in Paragould, Lyon College in Batesville, and at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville as a preferred walk-on.
“Reese does a great job of creating for others and is a vocal leader,” Post said.
Senior Sydney Standridge, 5-10, who averaged 7.5 points and 5.9 rebounds last season, was named 2022 all-conference. Post expects Standridge to be a solid player around the rim again this season for the Lady Jackets. Standridge has been offered the chance to play college ball at both North Arkansas College in Harrison and Lyon College.
Standridge will join senior Kylie Lasater, 6-0, who averaged 10.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game and was 2022 all-conference last season, on the inside. The coach said junior Cadie Gifford and sophomore Maggie Gresham will also add strength at the rim.
“All four are very physical and attack the offensive boards,” Post said. “Cadie and Sydney are both able to play inside and out, giving us some different options in our lineup. Sydney has improved her outside shooting and will be a major threat from the perimeter this season. Kylie and Maggie are both very skilled back-to-the-basket players. Our offensive scheme will allow these girls to get a lot of touches each night.”
On defense, 3A-2 Defender of the Year Kinley Keith, a 5-7 senior, will bring the physicality needed to finish around the rim, as well as strength as a weak-side rebounder, the coach said. Keith has been offered an opportunity to play at Lyon College.
Senior Katie McJunkins, 5-8, earned all-conference honorable mention last season and averaged 6.6 points per game, but because of an injury, she won’t hit the court until the second half of the season.
“She has been a great leader while rehabbing to come back toward the end of December,” Post said. “We will be excited to see her back on the court.”
Overall, Post expects to see a strong and confident team that plays extremely hard, even with the challenge of joining a new conference.
“Our experience will help us in preparation of a long season and the competition we will face,” Post said. “We have the ability to pound the basketball inside but can also put 3-4 shooters on the court at a time. We take pride in our half-court defense, toughness and rebounding. These girls work hard, and they know what it takes to win.”