‘Trend setters, man!’
Fouke and ‘The System’ take girls basketball by storm in Arkansas
FOUKE, Ark. — When you’re talking about girls basketball, the state champions being crowned this week in Hot Springs are the “talk of the town.”
But when you’re discussing perhaps the biggest change in girls basketball in decades, then you’re the “talk of the state.”
And that’s exactly what’s happening to the Fouke Lady Panthers’ winning strategy, simply called “The System.”
Fouke girls coach Mo Williams implemented the combination defense-offense plan where he substitutes 5-in and 5-out about every 90 seconds to 2 minutes.
The entire group on the court is replaced with another group, keeping his players fresh and allowing them to go “full-speed ahead” to wear down opponents and keep full-court pressure on them throughout the game.
The Lady Panthers give a “100 percent” effort every minute they’re on the court. This intense attack can stress out an opponent, especially if they keep their starting five in the game.
Several times this season, during a school record 37-1, the game was over by halftime.
“Trend setters, man! There’s a lot of coaches who can claim to have won a championship. How many can say that MO WILLIAMS they’re ‘potentially’ spearheading the change in how a whole state perceives the game? That number is even smaller,” said coach Randy Garner of Harding Academy Lady Wildcats from Searcy, Arkansas.
Harding Academy (27-9) was the only school to defeat Fouke this year, 46-41, in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament in Elkins, Arkansas. Harding lost to defending state champion Salem, 50-48, in the semifinals.
A lot of basketball teams, high school and college alike, are taking notice of the unique and innovative system. It’s such a radical change from “usual” basketball that a lot of individuals thought it was just a fad or something that would quickly fade away.
The Lady Panthers has been running the system for three years. They’ve posted records of 26-6, 35-5 and 37-1 — winning 90 percent of their games.
They’ve gone 14-0 in winning conference and district championships the last two years and they were conference and district runner-up with an 11-3 record three seasons ago.
Thinking outside the box isn’t new to coach Williams, says a coach who has known him since he was a kid playing basketball for Genoa Central.
“Mo has always marched to his own beat, so it’s no surprise that he’s implemented such an unconventional style of play. He’s never feared innovative methods or ideas, even when we all shook our heads!” said coach Cecily Butler of the Genoa Central Lady Dragons.
“Call it crazy, but ‘crazy’ produced 37 consecutive wins, a conference title, a district tournament title, a regional title, and an Elite 8 trip in the 3A state tournament this year. His program’s success over the last few years speaks for itself,” Butler said.
Several coaches install a specific game plan for every opponent. Fouke uses its system against every opponent.
“You are making a lot of coaches look around and wonder if they need to commit to a system,” coach Garner said.
“You know we are on the Harding University campus and their football team committed to the flexbone (offense) a few years back to help counter the talent gap they perceived.
“They won the national title this year. Nobody even slowed them down. I think of you guys like that. I’m serious man, you’ve got people talking.”
Harding went 15-0 in winning the NCAA Division II national football championship, which included a 38-7 victory in the title game.
It’s not just Arkansas coaches who are taking notice, but it’s spilled over to Texas, too.
Just ask Winnsboro, Texas, girls coach Robert Cochran, who coached 18 years at Liberty-eylau and a few more at Texas High.
“I believe what coach Williams and Fouke does is exceptionally unique but brilliant. He has developed a specific style that creates depth within his program, but also makes his team the one that no one wants to play,” the veteran coach said.
“It’s impossible to prepare a team in a day or two for the onslaught of pressure defense and uptempo offense they’re about to face.”
Cochran guided Winnsboro to a 33-7 record and into the regional finals where the Lady Red Raiders lost to state semifinalist Rains this year.
Fouke’s system has even caught the attention of Bergman coach James Halitzka, who guided the Lady Panthers to a 42-3 record and the 3A state championship this year. They smashed defending state champion Salem, 56-33, in the finals.
“While we have not had the pleasure of playing Fouke, I’m sure it is very frustrating for teams to prepare for a team that will not have to adjust to individual foul trouble as a game progresses, constant rematching up with personnel, and mental and physical fatigue from playing a physical fast-paced game for 32 minutes,” Halitzka said.
“The biggest determining factor for a team being successful has less to do with their style of play and more to do with players buying into what they are trying to do and parents staying out of the way for the good of the team.
“Fouke is successful because the players were willing to fully buy into what coach Mo wanted them to do and the parents and community supported them while doing it.”
The system also allows more players to gain game experience.
“To see them utilize so many players with their subbing style and how all of the players buy into it, is just revolutionary to see, especially at a school their size,” said coach Nicole Martin of the Murfreesboro Lady Rattlers. “I’ve enjoyed watching them build their success and an elite culture of growth and development from their players. You can see in their games why they’re successful. They truly are a selfless team.”
College coaches are enthralled about the Lady Panthers’ program and success.
I think it gives ownership to the whole team because everyone gets to play,” said coach Casey Fowler of Lyon College (Batesville, Arkansas).
“When you play a style like that, all it takes is one person to not do their job and it doesn’t work, so it takes everybody playing together.
“Also, you don’t have to be the most skilled player but do have to play extremely hard to play in that system. The key to it is when you get skilled players to buy in and also play that hard, is when it’s hard to stop. It’s a fun way to play and it’s fun to watch.”
Coach Williams acknowledges that every girl must buy into the program, which requires a total team effort.
“I know without the girls trusting me and buying in that this would not work — and it takes everyone for it to work. It’s about winning over individual glory or stats. One person not doing their job or being selfish and this thing crumbles.
“The kids bought in way before the community did. Now the community loves it,” said Williams, who has led Fouke to the state tournament the last three years.
The Lady Panthers try to dictate how the game is played, usually uptempo and pressure and traps to turn turnovers into easy baskets.
“They find ways to speed you up into their style of play. Every time you might think you can feel somewhat comfortable, the next wave of kids check in and the energy turns right back up,” said coach Levi Spinks of Haskell Harmony Grove.
Coach Hannah Newsom of Ouachita High agrees.
“Watching Fouke and Jessieville in the regional tournament made me realize that skill level isn’t containing those players, but fresh legs and grit are,” Newsom said.
“You don’t look at Fouke’s team and think any certain player stands out, but they all do as a team. They play so hard, maxed-out effort, trying to prove themselves while they are out there. Makes you wonder, as a coach, if using your entire depth in that way maximizes the team more so than relying on a few players to max out the whole game.”
Going full blast can wear down a team, even one that is well-conditioned.
“The 5-in and 5-out is very effective. We played about 7 people and it took a toll on them,” said coach Glory Slater of Dumas High.
“We thought we were in pretty good shape.
It took us until the fourth quarter to adjust, play our game and catch up. Normally we outlast teams, especially in the fourth quarter. If you are going to compete with Fouke, you better have a bench and I’m not referring to bench warmers.”
Team is a top priority with Williams.
“I especially appreciate the emphasis on team and de-emphasis of the individual, which is sadly rare in our current culture,” said coach Mark Hamby of Bismarck High.
Fouke also spends numerous hours on shooting, which is another thing the Lady Panthers do well.
“They shoot the ball exceptionally well — and they ALL can drill the 3-point shot,” said Butler of rival Genoa Central. “There’s not a shot they don’t like! If you are an opponent, you better guard every single one of them.
“And their defense this year was as good as I’ve ever seen it, and with their rotation, there were fresh bodies swarming the ball, full court, every 2 minutes. When you have athletes that trust their coaches and believe in their system, combined with obvious talent and extreme work ethic, you have a recipe for success.
“When you have a coach that’s gutsy enough to implement a system that deviates so far from the norm, you create a nightmare for opponents.”
Watching Fouke girls play is a unique experience for a lot of fans and coaches, said coach Robert Dallinore of Ouachita Baptist University.
“I thoroughly enjoy watching the energy, enthusiasm and passion with which they play the game. They play hard, smart and together,” Dallinore said.
“Mo and Cody (Powell, assistant coach) have established a family atmosphere that’s about developing young women, on and off the court, to become successful after they graduate.”
Coach Williams and coach Powell are teaching their girls how to become winners.
“What coach Williams is doing takes commitment and guts. He trusts his players to be committed and shut out the outside noise,” said coach Garner of Harding Academy.
“I commend him, their town, and players for the willingness to be committed to something they believe in. I think that’s a valuable life lesson.”