Lady Devil Dogs hope to finish the job

This group is on a mission to surpass last season’s end.” CARIN MCNABB

MORRILTON LADY DEVIL DOGS HEAD COACH

By the numbers, Morrilton’s Lady Devil Dogs had a successful season last year, finishing 20-6 overall and 9-2 in the 4A-4. But the finish wasn’t part of their plan. Carin McNabb’s team avenged two league losses to Pottsville in the district tournament, but as the league’s top seed to the Class 4A North Regional, the Lady Devil Dogs fell to Prairie Grove in the opening round, 39-36, to miss qualifying for the Class 4A State Tournament.

“This group is on a mission to surpass last season’s end,” said McNabb, in her 12th season at Morrilton High School. “We’ve got several seniors and juniors with experience who play hard. I’m looking forward to them getting more comfortable playing together and having fun playing basketball.”

Cheyanne Kemp, a 5-6 senior guard who averaged 16 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds last season, and 5-11 junior Jennifer Hartman, who averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds, return to the starting lineup.

Kemp will sign with Division I Weber State in Ogden, Utah, in November.

“She is athletic, can shoot the 3, has a nice pull-up or can get to the rim with her strength,” McNabb said. “Jennifer Hartman is athletic and can also shoot the 3 and also has a nice pullup jumper. Sophia Wahrmund is a hard-nosed guard who can shoot it or pull up or get to the rim. Kamryn Reel can shoot the 3 or pull up. KK Clemons is super quick and can cause problems on the defensive end.”

Inside, Morrilton will look to a trio of 5-11 upperclassmen.

“Katlin Huber is a senior, athletic and rebounds extremely hard,” McNabb said. “Johnna Brockman is an athletic junior who can shoot inside and outside. Jessi Hunt is a junior with long length who plays bigger on the boards than she is.”

The coach said guard play will be a team strength.

“They are experienced, for the most part, and they are athletic, and they can do a little bit of everything on both ends,” McNabb said. “Our posts are long and athletic and pretty deep.”

But the post players are inexperienced. “We hope to overcome that with several kids who can rotate in and be effective,” McNabb said.

Besides Kemp, McNabb said Hartman and Huber could also play at the next level.

“Jennifer Hartman has had some college interest with her length and shooting ability,” the coach said. “Katlin Huber, with her athletic ability and length, has been on an unofficial visit.”

The Lady Devil Dogs will face Waldron, Mena, Pottsville, Ozark, Fountain Lake, Dardanelle and Clarksville in the 4A-4.

The coach cited games to watch as Pottsville, a traditional power, and Dardanelle.

“Dardanelle has everyone returning and has added a sharp shooter,” McNabb said.