Strong senior nucleus leading Lady Yellowjackets
With a strong senior cast, the Lady Yellowjackets have lofty goals after losing in the quarterfinals of the Class 6A State Tournament a year ago. “Our goal will be to finish in the top of our new conference,” Sheridan coach Jamison Ingram said. “We will have to be the hardest-working team on the court each night. Offensively, we will have to just play our game and not hurt ourselves with turnovers. Rebounding will be a game-changer for us.” Versatile 5-11 senior Diamond Morris leads Sheridan. Morris, who averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds per game last season, is the squad’s tallest player but will see more time on the perimeter than she has the past two seasons, Ingram said. Morris is the Tri-Lakes Edition 2018 Girls Basketball Player to Watch. Most of Morris’ summer basketball experience has been at shooting guard, and that’s the position she’s projected to play at the college level. Ingram confirmed that several NCAA Division I programs are interested in Morris, who took a visit to Arkansas State. “She has a great outside shot with the ability to get to the rim,” Ingram said. “She is also a strong force on defense with the knack to disrupt the offense’s game plan.” Joining Morris in the backcourt is junior point guard Cassidy Henry. Henry logged significant minutes a year ago, relieving departed senior starter Savannah Howard. Henry is a dynamic playmaker who can score, recording a season-high 26 points last year in the season opener. “Cassidy handles the ball extremely well but also has the ability to score anytime from many areas on the court,” Ingram said. “We will look to Cassidy for a lot of offensive energy.” Senior shooting guard Blair Casey adds depth to the backcourt and is a long-range shooting threat, Ingram said. A pair of seniors patrol inside for Sheridan. Kassi Martin is a three-year starter in the paint who averaged 6 points and 6 rebounds per game last season and “works extremely hard on defense,” Ingram said. Undersized Brianna McElroy takes on taller opponents and has impressed Ingram with her commitment to defense and her tenacity on both ends of the court, the coach said. “I really like this team’s heart and energy,” Ingram said. “I also love the growth of both leadership and skills that we have seen with this group over the past three years with our seniors. I think we are going to see lots of good things from our underclassmen.”