Angie Ellis and the Valley View Lady Blazers are looking to improve on last season ’ s 7-18 record , and they will look to a few experienced players and a lot of talented youth to do so . Coach Ellis has some experience returning that knows what to expect in a brutal 5A East Conference , and she hopes the younger places get some experience early to help when conference season rolls around . “ This is another young team that hopes to win more games than a year ago ,” Coach Ellis explained . “ This team will have to out-smart and out-hustle opponents . We hope to push the ball in transition and execute on both ends of the court .” Senior Evy Smith returns after averaging 4.3 points and two assists as a junior . Smith brings experience at the guard position with fellow seniors Mallory Welch and Maddie Krumbach . They will provide leadership and an understanding of the Blazers defensive schemes while being threats to knock down shots from the outside . Coach Ellis and her staff are looking for a big year from junior Annika Wilbanks . Wilbanks started inside as a sophomore and saw her production increase as she returned from a shoulder injury finishing the year averaging 5.2 points and seven rebounds . The Lady Blazers hope her production continues to increase as she becomes a force on the inside on both ends of the floor . Mackenzie Whitlock is another junior whose skillset has continued to grow . Whitlock is one of the best athletes on the team , which will earn her some quality time on the floor . A group of sophomores should step right in and contribute immediately . Bonnie Fagan , Audrey Butler , Bella Seman , and Ruby Reynolds will all compete for time after moving up from a district tournament championship run in junior high . All four show quickness and athleticism on the defensive end , and should provide some offensive firepower from different areas of the floor . For Valley View to navigate a difficult 5A East schedule , the new faces will need to gain experience early on and help compliment the returning upperclassman . This mixture of experience and youth could mesh well and make the Lady Blazers a real contender for a state tournament spot . Look for Valley View to improve from a year ago and be in the hunt for a playoff spot in one of the toughest conferences in the state .
It may have taken the Valley View Blazers a while to get going in Lane Campbell ’ s first season as head coach , but some key conference victories turned around a 10-15 season . The Blazers defeated conference champion Marion in the final game of the season to earn the fourth seed in the 5A state tournament where they eventually fell in the first round to the Harrison Goblins . This season , with a lot more experience returning , Coach Campbell is looking for his guys to see success a little earlier , climb up the conference ladder , and be a threat in the postseason . “ We are looking forward to a great season ahead ,” Coach Campbell said . “ Coming off last season and making the state tournament for the first time in five years , we are looking to build off of that success this year .” Leading the way is junior Oliver Barr coming off a stellar sophomore season . Barr averaged 13.4 points a game and also led the Blazers in steals , blocks , and rebounds . The all-state guard was also selected the Jonesboro Sun ’ s Newcomer of the Year . Barr is a long , athletic , versatile player that can score inside and outside and cause problems on the defensive end . Senior Carson Turley will transition from orchestrating the Valley View offense as quarterback for the football team , to running the Blazer offense on the basketball court . Turley is a quick , strong point guard that has a high basketball IQ , sees the floor really well , and is a great facilitator . The all-state quarterback can also score at all three levels when needed and shows tremendous leadership ability . Junior Gavin Ellis , also returns to the starting lineup . Ellis is an aggressive defender , who sees the floor , is a great passer , and a good outside shooter . The three headed monster at guard should prove difficult for opposing defenses to handle . Inside , Valley View will look to senior Hudson Rogers to expand his minutes and role from a season ago . Rogers is a long , athletic presence that can be a rim protector and good rebounder . He also possesses a good basketball IQ and has improved his scoring ability and stepped into a much needed leadership role . Junior Laird Cullen saw quality minutes last season and hopes to expand on that this year . The slasher has a nose for the ball and can score in different ways while disrupting opposing offenses on the opposite end of the floor . Several new faces will hope to give Valley View some depth . Junior Noah Berry moved in from Northwest Arkansas during the summer and hopes to add another presence inside . The forward is a big , strong , athletic kid that can score around the rim while protecting it on the defensive end . Josh Burnett should prove to be a key part of the lineup . The junior guard is quick , athletic , and scores at all three levels . Coach Campbell and the Blazers are looking forward to a good season , “ We have a talented group of guys this year that come in everyday and that are ready to get to work . They are ready to accept the challenge that comes their way night in and night out . It ' s going to be a great year ahead for our program , and we are looking forward to it .” NEA Sports predicts Valley View to be in the mix for a state tournament berth once again this season .