Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

GHS Girls Begin Season

By JOHN MILLER

Guard play could determine how far Gurdon's Lady Devil basketball team goes this season.

Coach Donald Williams returns three starters from the 1995-96 squad which went to the regional tournament, and brings some experience back from the bench as well.

However, he said no one has stepped up to take control of the team on the floor, and his guards aren't playing as well as he'd like.

"For this early in the year," he said, "they look about like I expected."

But, Lady Devil foes have already found out Williams' defense is exactly where he wants it. His man-to-man, in-your-face style of defense has already thwarted Dierks and Blevins.

Then again, Williams stresses defense and his teams work hard on the man defense.

On the other hand, his offense has a long way to go at this point in the season.

Williams said this is the first year in a while he's had this much depth on the bench. "We'll get some quality minutes off the bench," he said. "I feel good about that.

The core of the Lady Devil team this year will be Natasha McPeak, April Simpson and Wanda Cornish, along with Alicia Clayborn and Tameka Hatley. This, he said, will be his primary starting five.

But, he added, there are some on the bench who are borderline starters, including Lori Kelley and LaVonda Young.

Jessica Rainey returns off knee surgery and will be a benefit to the Lady Devils is she stays healthy.

Williams said Dana Jones moved into the district and will help the team as well.

Part of his problem, thus far in the season, is the lack of consistent scoring.

While the Lady Devils beat Blevins 63-57, the game was won at the free throw line where Gurdon converted 28 of 54. Blevins actually outshot Gurdon from the field.

Cornish and Clayborn have proven to be the scoring attack for the Lady Devils at this point.

Williams, though, isn't worried. He said the defensive part of the game is what's being stressed this early in the year, while the offense will come along later. Shooting will get better as the season progresses, he said.

Still, Williams has had no member of the team step up to become the leader. He said Clayborn has the capability to dominate, but hasn't done it yet.

"We'll just wait and see who takes over," he said of the team leadership. "The leader will step up regardless."

Of course, part of the lack of leadership could be the age of the team. Williams has six sophomores and five juniors on his 15 player squad, with a "scrappy" bunch of freshman waiting in the wings.

Williams said when the team comes together they could well contend for the district title.

This year, the district title will be harder to come by as the Devils were placed in the 7A-Central -- a true basketball conference which includes teams such as Nevada, Stephens and Genoa Central.

These schools don't have football and can begin practicing basketball on the opening day of class.

"They (the Arkansas Activities Association) put us in a basketball conference," Williams said. "I've been trying to tell the players this and get them to understand."

What he's trying to get his squad to understand is this -- anytime the Lady Devils set foot on court they are marked by the other team.

Gurdon's rich basketball history is well known and these teams want to prove they can play with the big dogs. Williams said his teams have dominated the 7AA for the past five years which gives these schools all the incentive they need to come after the Lady Devils.

With the other teams already well into their season, Williams said they have the edge over Gurdon as they are more gelled as a team.

In addition, the Lady Devils conference games will be home and home, instead of wherever the football game wasn't played as it was last year. This double round robin league play, Williams said, means his team can't be down at any time. Now, there are 10 conference games instead of six.

Williams said his crew has some speed and can jump, but still needs to be more consistent in scoring.

He said if they keep progressing the Lady Devils could be one of the top three teams in the league.

"If we work hard, stay focused, progress and can peak in February, we have a chance at making the playoffs," he said. "They're (the team) capable. It's up to them."