Lady Dragons set to face Cossatot River

As of Sunday afternoon, Junction City girls basketball coach Henry Harrell had not gotten a scouting report on Cossatot River. To be honest, he said, it’s not a huge concern.

“I kind of like it that way,” said Harrell. “I think they’ve got everybody back from that team last year. But, you’re trying to compare apples and oranges from last year’s team and what they do. Just go in and try to play your normal game and how you normally play and then adjust as the game goes along. I’m going to try and get a film

on them and look at that. But, I think we have a chance to beat them.”

Junction City takes on the Lady Eagles tonight at 7 p.m. in the 3A Region 4 Tournament at Fordyce.

Cossatot River brings a 23-6 record into the tournament and a No. 3 seed.

The Lady Dragons have been hot-and-cold this season - both from a shooting and ball handling standpoint. Harrell said taking care of the ball will be important today.

“If we don’t turn it over, we’ll have a chance,” he said. “If we go over there and we turn it over like we’ve been doing lately, it’s going to make it hard for us to pull it out.”

Junction City advanced to the championship game of last week’s district tournament before falling to Fordyce 56-41. The Lady Dragons finally gave in to the Lady Bugs’ full court pressure, surrendering a crucial 8-0 spurt that put the game away in the second half.

“They wore us down. (Lamya Bulliner’s) probably the best player in our league,” said Harrell.

“She got going in the second half and we made a couple of turnovers back-to-back. And, they capitalized on that. Next thing you know, it went from four down to being down 12. It makes a big difference.”

Junction City tried to address its lack of depth when the junior high season ended, moving up ninth graders like Olivia Creager and Breyun Meadows. Harrell is hopeful the youngsters can provide a couple minutes rest to the starters during the postseason.

As for those starters, the coach said Taykeetria Rogers is back at 100 percent healthy after a knee injury. He listed Camya Hamilton at about 90 percent. Meanwhile junior forward Jada Archie has emerged as Junction City’s offensive leader.

“She’s been our go-to player all year long. She can get it inside and score and step outside and shoot the three. She’s been a big surprise,” said Harrell. “I didn’t think she could do the things she’s been doing all year. But, like I said, she’s been our go-to player. When we need a basket, we try to get it inside to her or let her step outside and shoot the three.”