Lady Bulldogs look to continue hot streak at state

The Quitman Lady Bulldogs came within 6 points of successfully defending their Class 2A state championship last year when they lost to Earle in the final, 48-43. Timothy Hooten’s team capped a three-year run of 97-10 that included a 29-3 state semifinal finish in 2016; a 33-3 state-championship run in 2017; and 35-4 state runner-up finish in 2018. “We have a mix of seniors to freshmen,” said Hooten, 146-25 heading into his sixth season at Quitman. “I would expect the program to continue to be as competitive as it has been for the past three seasons.” The Lady Bulldogs won the West/Central Regional to earn a first-round bye in the Class 2A State Tournament. They then knocked off Carlisle in the quarterfinals, 65-56, and Johnson County Westside in the semifinals, 58-50, before falling to Earle in the championship game. The Lady Bulldogs make the move to the 2A-5 North this season. Returning starters include 5-8 senior guard Nicki Hooten, last year’s leading scorer, who is being recruited by Harding University; and 5-8 junior forward Lucy Holland, the top rebounder and second-leading scorer. “Nicki is a great 3-point shooter who has improved her driving ability over the offseason,” Hooten said. But the Lady Bulldogs lost 5-5 senior guard Lily Holland to a career-ending knee injury. She was hurt in the regional last season and reinjured the knee during the preseason. Hooten called it “a huge loss to the team.” Others expected to contribute inside include 5-9 junior Carson Rackley and 5-11 junior Lanney Goff. “Carson is a good rebounder who can step out and hit a 3-point shot,” Hooten said. “Lanney took a two-year absence from playing but is working hard to catch up. She could be a great addition by the end of the season.” Besides Nicki Hooten, the Lady Bulldogs will look outside to 5-1 freshman Taylor Hooten, 5-4 junior Autumn Johnson, 5-9 junior Haley Trawick, 5-3 junior Halle Bennett, 5-2 junior Gracie Smith and 5-8 junior Erin Stephens. “Taylor is a 3-point shooter and a good passer,” the coach said. “Autumn is an improved 3-point shooter and driver. Haley is a good 3-point shooter who will also play the post position when needed. Halle greatly improved her shooting and ball-handling skills in the offseason. Gracie Smith is probably the team’s best passer and could see a lot of playing time. Erin has improved her ball-handling and driving.” Hooten said this is the best overall shooting team he’s coached at Quitman, but a team weakness is a lack of size. “We will change to a more uptempo game,” he said.