Lady Hornets prep for uphill conference road
Coaches may bank on senior players to propel their teams to victory, but even with only one senior player, Maumelle Lady Hornets coach Jarred White said he feels optimistic about the team’s prospects in the 5A West Conference this season. “We are looking to be competitive in 2018,” he said. “We are expecting to finish in the top part of the conference. Our conference is tough, and [there] will be an uphill climb to make state.” This will be White’s fourth year as head coach for the Lady Hornets, who finished 15-13 overall and 12-3 in conference play last season. In addition to four-year starter senior Irianna Allen, the team’s returning upperclassmen include juniors Reagan Pierce and Shelby Forehand, both threeyear starters. Also returning to the diamond are sophomores Kyrah Bailey and Reagan Wortman, who both clocked in significant playing time last year. White said his strategy is to play to the team’s strengths and build up the team’s experience during every match so the Lady Hornets are in good shape come conference time. “We have only one senior and will try to improve every game,” he said. “We should get tougher as the season moves along. We have a lot of team speed this year, so we will try to use it the best we can.” He added that he will look to Allen, Pierce and Forehand to lead the team this year. Along with junior outfielder Jhanada Johnson, Allen is one of the fastest players on the team, the coach said. That swiftness might give the Lady Hornets an edge against their competition. One freshman to watch this season will be Zoe Adebayo, whom White named as the team’s top power hitter. Fans might find it interesting to watch Adebayo develop while she cuts her teeth with the team, White said, and he predicts the player will continue her softball career into college. “Zoe Adebayo should fit nicely into the order,” he said. “We are expecting big things out of her this year.” Two games in particular will have fans buzzing about the Lady Hornets, White said. The bout against the Lady Titans at Jacksonville High School on Tuesday was sure to test Maumelle’s mettle, and the home game against Sylvan Hills on April 17 may bring some tough competition from the Lady Bears, the coach said.