Lady Cardinals under new tutelage
First-year head coach Levi Spinks said it is important for the Harmony Grove Lady Cardinals to build on last year’s regional berth, so “we will play every conference game like it’s the most important on our schedule,” he said. “Despite only returning two full-time starters, we have some other players who played minutes and are ready to step into a bigger role this year,” Spinks said. “I like our overall depth and think we have some versatility with our wings.” Last year, Spinks was an assistant coach for the boys team at Greenbrier High School, under head coach Mike Simmons. Prior to that, Spinks was the head coach for both the boys and girls teams at Rural Special High School. Spinks said the opportunity at Harmony Grove came up, and he knew some of the administration and the athletic director, Ricky Mooney. “Our shooting and perimeter play should be our strengths,” Spinks said. “Defensively, we should be able to pressure opponents into turnovers and force the pace of play some as well.” Returning this year is senior forward Kylie Moore, who averaged 10 points a game last year and was named all-conference. “She is probably our most versatile scorer,” Spinks said. “She can shoot and post up. She is strong around the basket. She can score in a lot of different ways. “And as a senior, she will, hopefully, provide some leadership for us, too.” The coach said returning senior Raven Newton is a good defender and a solid point guard. “She is more of a traditional point guard,” he said. “She can get the ball down the floor and guard the opposing team’s guard and put ball pressure on. “She is a really good athlete and affects the whole game in every way.” Junior guard Kailey Southerland started a few games last year, and the coach said she is a really creative scorer. “She is a combo guard who can play the one or two,” Spinks said. “She is small, but she can catch it at the 3-point line and drive to the basket.” Spinks said Harmony Grove lacks size, so rebounding and defending the interior will be issues the Lady Cardinals will have to work through. “Glen Rose is a rivalry game, along with being a conference opponent,” Spinks said. “I expect them to be a really good team, and the games should have a great atmosphere. “Bauxite and Cutter Morning Star are also both within a close drive for us and should be really good teams.”