Conway girls looking forward to tough nights
Last year, Conway’s girls swept the 6A Central schedule, 14-0, and entered the Class 6A State Tournament 28-1 and the top seed from the league. But after a first-round bye, the Wampus Cats fell to Little Rock Central, fifth seed from the Central, in the quarterfinals, 66-60. Conway had beaten Central by 86-29 and 70-28 during the regular season.
It was a stunning end to a stellar season. But in 2022-23, with four seniors, including three returning starters, the Wampus Cats are looking ahead, not back.
“We are looking forward to this season,” said coach Ashley Hutchcraft, 323-94 heading into her 13th season atop the Conway High School program. “We have a tough nonconference schedule that we hope will prepare us to make a run in March. We will be looking to our four seniors to lead us on and off the floor and bring a level of experience we haven’t had in a few years.”
Conway won state titles in 2008 and ’14 and will be looking for a third in ’23.
“With three returning starters from last season and some key players returning that came off the bench, we look to be competitive in every game,” Hutchcraft said.
Two of those returning starters will sign with top collegiate programs. Chloe Clardy, a 5-9 senior guard, will sign with Stanford; Savannah Scott, a 6-4 senior center, will sign with Auburn. Kamille Brown, a 5-8 senior guard, also returns, and Hutchcraft said she will also be a college prospect.
“Chloe Clardy is one of the best players in the country,” the coach said. “She has a high basketball IQ and is our leader on and off the floor. Savannah Scott, with her size and experience, is tough to guard. Kamille Brown is one of our best defenders. She is fearless on defense and usually guards the other team’s best player.”
Kaidyn Beckwith, a 5-5 guard, is the Wampus Cats’ other senior.
“Kaidyn is a true point guard,” Hutchcraft said. “She allows Chloe to play away from the point-guard position and gives us another look offensively.”
Also expected to help outside are 5-7 sophomores Emerie Bohanon and Samyah Jordan.
“Emerie is a great shooter,” Hutchcraft said.
“She is hard to guard behind the 3-point line. She is tough on offense and defense. Samyah’s strength is her ability to see the floor and get to the rim.”
Alexis Cox, a 5-9 sophomore, will support Scott inside.
“Lex has a midrange game that makes her hard to guard in the paint,” Hutchcraft said. “She can step out and shoot the 3, but she is hard to stop in the paint.”
The coach said that besides Clardy, Scott and Brown, other college prospects include Cox, Beckwith, Bohanon and Jordan.
“All of these players have a skill that they are great at and that sets them apart from other players,” Hutchcraft said. “They all would be a great asset to a college program.”
The four seniors will be the team’s biggest strength, the coach said.
“They are great leaders on and off the floor,” Hutchcraft said. “They bring a lot of experience to our team. Our bench does not have a lot of experience, though, and we hope that will improve when we start conference play in January.”
The 6A Central this season also includes Jonesboro, Little Rock Southwest, North Little Rock, Little Rock Central, Cabot and Bryant.
“Any game in the 6A Central Conference will be fun to watch,” Hutchcraft said. “I feel like they will be some of our toughest games. Our conference is loaded with great players, great programs and great coaches. When you add in the rivalries that some of us have, it always makes for a tough night.”