Coach: Lady Rams shoot to improve on last year’s finish

We are really excited about our team this year. We have our starting point guard and shooting guard returning and look forward to their leadership. CHRIS BROCK LAKESIDE LADY RAMS COACH

The Hot Springs Lakeside Lady Rams had a banner season in 2016-17 after a so-so season the prior year. Lakeside finished 19-8 after a 13-12 season in 2015-16. The Lady Rams finished third in the 5A-South and advanced to the Class 5A state tournament where they lost to Pulaski Academy 71-54 in the first round. “We are really excited about our team this year,” Lakeside coach Chris Brock said. “We have our starting point guard and shooting guard returning and look forward to their leadership. Also, I’m really excited about our younger players stepping up into larger roles and watching them compete.” Lakeside returns two starters. They are senior point guard Thea Rice and shooting guard Ashton Patrick. “Thea is 5-10, and she has started every varsity game for her two years,” Brock said. “Ashton is 5-6 and is a good shooter and scorer.” Brock said other guards who will play this year include sophomore Chloe Porter, junior Lindsey Davis and sophomore Riley Green. Post players this year, Brock said, are 5-11 sophomore Abby Mahoney, 5-9 junior Belle Neilson and 5-10 junior Miller Dickerson. “Abby is very athletic and runs the floor very well,” Brock said. “She is a good rebounder. Belle is aggressive and a good rebounder. Miller is an aggressive rebounder.” Brock said his team’s strengths are overall team shooting and playing together as a unit. He also said his team has a good transition game, getting the ball up the court. Lakeside will open the season Nov. 14 at Fountain Lake. The Lady Cobras are coming off a 6-20 campaign a year ago. The Lady Rams have rivalry games against Lake Hamilton and Hot Springs this season. They host Lake Hamilton on Dec. 15 and travel there Jan. 30. Lakeside hosts Hot Springs on Dec. 5, then travels there Jan. 23.