Lady Pioneers are run-and-gun team, coach says

The Batesville Lady Pioneers had another banner season in 2018, finishing 22-8 and advancing to the second round of the Class 5A State Tournament. Batesville beat Beebe 57-39 in the first round, then lost to eventual state champion Hot Springs 76-74 after leading by 14 points in the third quarter. Batesville coach Stan Fowler is entering his fifth season as head coach. He is 89-29 in his first four seasons. The Lady Pioneers return four starters from last year, including senior power forward Taylor Griffin, who led her team in scoring with 18 points per game. She also had 6 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. She shot 53 percent from the floor. Also returning is senior point guard Erin Haigwood. “She’s a veteran ball handler and passer,” Fowler said. Senior Alley Edwards returns at the post position. “She’s our best post player, with tons of quickness and experience,” Fowler said. Sophomore Issy Higginbottom started as a freshman last season. “She played her entire ninth-grade season on the high school team,” Fowler said. “She’s a crazy-good passer and scorer.” Junior Reese Gardner is slated to be the fifth starter. “She is a transfer who will finish off the starting lineup,” Fowler said. “She will help us go to the next level.” Batesville lost only one starter — Taylor Hammack, who is playing NCAA Division I basketball at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Fowler said sophomore guard/power forward Kaylee Clark will help the Lady Pioneers this season. “This 10th-grader has already proven that she is ready to take her place in this run-andgun team,” Fowler said. Other top players include freshman Chloe Trusty, sophomore Jalise Stewart and juniors Lauren Cowden, Sissy Skelton and Natalie Bone. Fowler said he thinks his team can make a run at a state title this year in Class 4A with the restructuring of the Arkansas Activities Association, going from seven classes to only six. “It will be tough and will require a lot of luck if this team has a shot at the state championship,” he said. Batesville is a member of the 4A-3 Conference. Teams include Blytheville, Brookland, Highland, Pocahontas, Southside Batesville, Valley View and Jonesboro Westside. “Our nonconference schedule is tough,” Fowler said, referring to games with Melbourne, Mountain View and Jonesboro, and playing in the Northeast Arkansas Tournament. “In the conference, Brookland, Southside, Highland and Pocahontas all should be strong competition,” Fowler said. The coach said he has several players who have the potential to play at the collegiate level. “Taylor Griffin has already received an offer from Henderson State,” he said. “Alley Edwards has received college attention also. Erin Haigwood is good enough to play somewhere, but she may choose to play volleyball on a higher level.” Fowler said Gardner has received Division I and Division II attention. “Issy Higginbottom already has many colleges salivating when they see her play,” Fowler said. The coach said he’s excited for the season. “We will run the floor,” he said. “It will be a very exciting style of game to watch. Batesville has a lot of great kids who are very talented. This is going to be a great year.”