Lady Warriors complete year of hoops with 20 win season
The Ouachita Lady Warriors wrapped up their season of hoops in a hard fought match-up against the Gurdon Lady Go-devils in the 2A-8
Sr. High Girls District Tournament in Gurdon. The Lady Warriors had a lot to overcome from the home-court advantage, but took the Lady Go-devils to the distance in a tough 43-41 defeat—ending Ouachita’s hopes for postseason play for the 2022-23 basketball season.
Ouachita Lady Warriors basketball head coach Corey Brown knew coming into their district tournament match-up would be tough to dethrone a good Lady Go-devil squad on their court. Brown felt the Lady Warriors displayed a passionate effort and laid it all on the court in their two-point loss.
This season, the Lady Warriors debuted in the 2A Classification and maintained success for another 20 win year of hoops. The Lady Warriors kept a competitive drive as a tough opponent on their home court and secured several key wins against their visiting opponents on the Ouachita High School Allcare Pharmacy Court at OHS Gymnasium.
Despite falling short to qualify to compete at the 2A South Regional Tournament this week, Brown believes the Lady Warriors had an impact as a quality opponent in 2A basketball. The Lady Warriors close’ loss in the district tournament showcased their productive play as a strong unit and force for senior high girls basketball competition.
“Lost 43-41 in a tight one and it’s the end of the season for us,” Brown noted. “Had a good look to win it, just couldn’t get it to fall. Moving up to 2A was a tough challenge but we met it head on and proved we could hang,” Brown said.
The Lady Warriors finished the year 20-12 overall, which keeps a consecutive winning season for Brown as head coach.
The Lady Warriors had several key players produce impressive numbers of production throughout the year. Senior Emma Williams had an incredible basketball career as a Lady Warrior. Williams captured AllState and All-conference honors last season and surpassed 1,000 points scored as a four-year starter. This season Williams ignited top performances to explode with 20 and 30 plus point scoring nights and recently displayed a standout game at home to drop 37 points while hitting 11 triples beyond the arc against Gurdon during 2A-8 Conference play. Williams also contributed well with assists, rebounds, as well as having an impact defensively with steals and blocks for the Lady Warriors.
Olivia Waters and Delaney Daniell both had breakout seasons to post in double-figures as All-conference players last season. During the Christmas break in December 2022, Waters received top honors and was named to the Ouachita Women’s Holiday Basketball Tournament All-tournament Team. Waters averaged 12.7 ppg.—points, 7 rpg.—rebounds, 1.3 spg.—steals and 1.3 apg.—assists during the tournament. Daniell was one of the key shooters for the Lady Warriors with Waters and both sparked with 20 plus scoring nights to record double-figures for production.
Rylee Gray impacted as the team’s key force— inside player. Before the second half of the season, Gray averaged 7.3 ppg. with 5.6 rpg. as a major contributor finisher around the paint and rebounder off the glass. Carley Cox, Abrie Ables, Rayna Lasalle and Jenna Schweitzer made their presence felt during the season in all categories from scoring, rebounding and on the defensive end to surge the Lady Warriors in their 20 win season. Brown earned his 200th career win during the Christmas holiday break and guided the Lady Warriors to more victories in the second half of the 2022-23 basketball season. Ouachita looks to return next season with more momentum to make a strong run as a postseason contender.