Ladies aim for 19th-straight state show
Harding Academy’s Lady Wildcats were 5-8 early last season before going on a 17-5 flurry to finish the season 22-13 and as a Class 3A state quarterfinalist. And although they’re aiming for a 19thconsecutive state tournament appearance, coach Rusty Garner said there would be no comparisons from year to year. “The success of our team will be measured internally and will be based on who we are as people and the quality of our relationships with one another,” said Garner, starting his 16th season at Harding Academy and his 12th as head coach with a 230-115 career record. The Lady Wildcats finished 3A-2 competition 12-6 last season. They won the regional title and beat Prescott in the opening round of the Class 3A State Tournament, 65-47, before falling to Charleston, the eventual state champion, in the quarters, 41-34. Three starters return from that team: Caroline Citty, a 5-8 junior point guard who averaged 7.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game last year; Alden Graves, a 5-5 senior shooting guard who averaged 10.6 points and hit 73 treys before tearing her ACL in the fourth quarter of the state tournament opener last year; and Brittan Harlow, a 5-10 senior post player who started every game as a sophomore but tore her ACL in the second game of the season last year. “Caroline is a long athletic point guard who can also score,” Garner said. “We play our fastest when she has the ball. She has a good nose for the ball defensively and led our team in rebounding as a sophomore,” he said. “Alden is a tough, competitive kid and will leave Harding Academy as statistically one of the best shooters in school history,” Garner said. “She has evolved to be able to score and not just shoot. “Brittan is a tall athletic post with around-thebasket skills and shooting ability out to the 3-point line. She was thinking the game really well before her injury and will be a big piece for us.” The coach said others expected to contribute inside this year include Sloane Wiedower, a 6-0 junior; Jordan Bolding, a 5-9 junior; Carson McFatridge, a 6-0 sophomore; and Matti Clements, a 5-8 sophomore. “Sloane was a spot starter for us last season,” Garner said. “She is very physical and has improved tremendously each season. She brings toughness to our team. She gave us good minutes off the bench in a sub role last season. “Jordan is a skilled and tough post defender. She will not be outworked or outhustled. Carson and Matti will add young post depth.” The coach said others expected to help outside include Mallory Gowen, a 5-8 senior; Hannah Ferrie, a 5-5 senior; Kadyn Harris, a 5-7 junior; and Claire Cullins, a 5-7 sophomore. “Mal brings us some on-floor versatility and has good off-ball defensive skills,” Garner said. “Hannah knows where she and everyone else are supposed to be on the floor at all times. Kadyn is a physical rebounder and defender who can shoot and pass it from the perimeter. Claire is an athletic guard who can fill in for multiple places and will challenge for minutes as a sophomore.” He said sophomores Whitney Hays and Abigail Wornock and juniors Addi Province and Allie Nesbitt would bring positives on and off the floor. Team strengths are experience and versatility both in style of play and positions, the coach said.