Talented Bryant team looking to contend in conference
Three veteran all-conference standouts hope to make the Bryant Lady Hornets a contender in the rugged 7A-Central Conference. “We look to build on a state-tournament appearance last year,” veteran girls basketball coach Brad Matthews said. “The top teams in 7A will be found in our league in North Little Rock, Conway and Little Rock Central. We look forward to being able to compete with them this season. We have had some really good practices this fall.” Junior 5-5 guard Sierra Trotter averaged 10.4 points and 3.4 assists per game last season on her way to all-conference and all-state honors. Trotter exploded for a season-high 30 points against Mount St. Mary. India Atkins, a 5-6 junior, returns to the backcourt with Trotter. She averaged 5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists per game on her way to all-conference honors last winter. Matthews noted that Atkins is “a tremendous on-ball defender.” Celena Martin, a 5-7 forward, rounds out the junior trio. Martin, also an all-conference honoree, averaged 7.4 points per game and 8 rebounds per conference contest a year ago. Senior guard Kalia Walker is a two-year starter at guard and has impressed Matthews with her improved consistency overall and with her 3-point shooting. Senior 6-1 post Robyn Gordon patrols the paint and has worked hard to improve in the offseason, said Matthews, who looks to Gordon to “make a big contribution on both ends of the floor.” Junior forward McKenzie Muse uses her 6-2 frame to intimidate in the paint, but she can also knock down 3-pointers. After recovering from
Our players have grown a lot this offseason, and we will need to continue to do that as we head into the season.” BRAD MATTHEWS BRYANT LADY HORNETS COACH
an anterior-cruciate-ligament tear last season, Matthews said, “We look for her to have a really big year.” Allison Steen, a 6-0 senior, adds depth in the paint, the coach said. Steen is a high-energy player with rebounding and shot-blocking ability and can “have a big impact on the success of our team this year,” he said. “We will need to continue to improve and mature as we get into our season,” Matthews said. “Our players have grown a lot this offseason, and we will need to continue to do that as we head into the season. To have grown and improved in the offseason was important, but to take that same mindset into competition is really important. “So much of what can help us have success this season is in the mindset area. Having the proper mindset will help us continue to improve, both from a basketball standpoint and from a mentality standpoint.”