Lady Raiders stress chemistry, relationships

The Riverview Lady Raiders hope to make a return trip to the statechampionship game this year, and with three starters returning from last year’s program, head coach Ryan Smith thinks it is an attainable goal. “When we get them all here [from volleyball], we will have individual meetings and tell them what to expect from us,” Smith said. “They have always bought into our program, and I feel like I have a good relationship with them, which means a lot to me. “They respect me and what I have to offer. We are just excited to kick it off.” Riverview finished as 4A state runner-up last season, losing to Central Arkansas Christian in the finals. Both programs move down to Class 3A this season. Returning for the Lady Raiders are senior Abbie Jiles, junior Parker Smith and senior Baylee Davis. Jiles averaged 17 points per game last year and is this year’s Three Rivers Edition Girls Basketball Player to Watch. Parker Smith is the coach’s daughter and averaged 10 points per game last year, while Davis, who earned all-conference last year, chipped in with 8 points per game. “The biggest thing is, Parker and Baylee have been playing since they were sophomores — Parker has been playing since she was a freshman — and they both have a lot of experience,” Ryan Smith said. “It is their turn to be leaders. “The team is going to fallow where they go and how they play.” Parker Smith was all-conference last year and led the team in assists and 3-point percentage. The coach said he puts a lot on his daughter. “It is tough coaching your daughter,” he said. “I try to find the balance between dad and coach. I wouldn’t put that on anybody.” Senior Alexa Gray averaged 5 points per game off the bench last year, and the coach said she is a really experienced spot player. “We have three or four starters coming back,” he said. “That’s the making of a strong team.” Freshman Makayla Baker will move up to the varsity level this year. “I wouldn’t move her up if I didn’t plan on playing her,” Coach Smith said. “We lost a transfer back to Searcy at the end of last school year, and she was a good player. So it was a number-crunch thing. “But Makayla was my best junior high player. She is athletic, and she knows the game pretty well and is pretty savvy. I think playing against some experienced players will do her some good.” The coach said Riverview has some inexperience and lacks a lot of depth this year, but the team’s biggest strength is its chemistry, and he believes Riverview has a chance to make the state tournament again. “They all get along; they all like each other. They hang out a lot together,” Smith said. “I am looking forward to coaching this bunch of great kids. They are very coachable, and I enjoy being around them. “Our goal every year is to make the state tourney and be playing our best basketball at tourney time.”