The GCT Lady Eagles got back to a familiar place in Coach Jason Smith ’ s second season . GCT finished 26-8 , won the 5A East conference title , and made a run to the 5A State semifinals . Now , entering his third year , Coach Smith knows the target will be a big one on the Lady Eagles . “ Last season was a magical one ,” Coach Smith said . “ We believed in ourselves but no one in the conference or the state really had us as a conference champion . Everything kind of fell into place and we won several that we probably shouldn ' t have . This season will be different . We won ' t be able to sneak up on anyone and will get everyone ' s best shot . Winners may be admired , but they are not liked . That ' s alright with us . We want it tough , we want it difficult and it will be . The East is the toughest league year in and year out , top to bottom .” Greene County Tech will have four starters returning , along with several with experience off the bench . Seniors Jacey Edrington , Weslyn Burnside , Myiah Butler , and junior Sophia Gonzalez all return to the starting lineup . Edrington is an All-State , All-State tournament , and Best Under the Sun selection who averaged 10.8 points a game last season . The senior guard is a blue collar , workhorse type of player , who can score at all three levels and battles every possession . Burnside is a senior forward who earned All-State and Beat Under the Sun last year . The three year starter is an All-State athlete in volleyball , basketball , and softball , and uses that athleticism on both ends of the floor averaging 10 points and five rebounds as a junior . Classmate Myiah Butler is another three year starter who signed with Harding University . Coach Smith calls Butler a coach ’ s dream because she will do whatever it takes to help the team . The 6 ’ 1 post is a two sport standout who averaged 8.5 points , 9.5 rebounds , and 2.3 blocks a season ago while shooting 63 % from the floor . Junior point guard Sophia Gonzalez used her quickness and speed to fill up the stat sheet with 7.5 points , 4.2 rebounds , 2.7 assists , and 1.6 steals a night . Gonzalez was All-Conference and a Best Under the Sun selection and has the ability to make that “ wow ” play at any time . Senior Brooklyn Bowden played big down the stretch for the Lady Techsters . Bowden is an athletic guard that can get to the rim and has signed to play beach volleyball at Stephen F . Austin . Senior forward Maggie Cole can play multiple positions , is gritty and tough , and led the team in charges taken last season . Sophomore guard Addie Ryan moved up as a freshman last year to boost the outside shooting for Tech . The sharpshooter is a gym rat who has improved other facets of her game to expand on her role at the guard spot . Junior Emarriha Johnson moved in from Kennett , Missouri over the summer where she started as a sophomore . Johnson has offers from Saint Louis and UT-Martin . Seniors Ava South , Zoey Andrews , and Hadley Fagan , along with junior Presley Carpenter , and sophomores Ava Williams and Allie Smith could contribute as well this year . Coach Smith likes his team ’ s depth and balance . “ We feel that we are as deep as anyone in the league ,” he said . “ We feel that we can score in different ways and that is something that we haven ' t had in past few seasons . We feel that with continued steady play of Edrington and Burnside , as well as improvements from Butler , Gonzalez and Ryan , along with the addition of Johnson we will be tough on the offensive end .” Greene County Tech can beat you in different ways , and the Lady Eagles will have to use all of them to navigate a tough nonconference schedule and an always brutal 5A East . NEA Sports predicts GCT will win the 5A East , and be a team with a legitimate shot at making it to Hot Springs .
Coach Jeff Guiot and the Greene County Tech Golden Eagles finished last season 15-15 , just missing out on a state tournament berth . This year ’ s edition of the Golden Eagles is looking to get back to the postseason . GCT returns several players that gained valuable experience last year , led by senior guard Parker Harris . The three year starter will provide defense , shooting , and much needed leadership to the Tech squad . Juniors Noah Oswalt and Kason Scott also return to the starting lineup . Oswalt is strong with good speed on the floor and will help provide leadership , while Scott is quick , tough , and a good shooter . Connor Gerrish is another senior that will provide good minutes . The quarterback for the football team , Gerrish is athletic and quick . Junior forward Carson McDaniel is a shooter with good length , and sophomore center Landon Morton is big , strong , and tough in the paint . Coach Guiot is looking at three keys for his team ’ s success . “ Our attitude , effort and toughness will be a big factor in our success ,” Coach Guiot said . “ If we rebound the ball , we will have a very special year . I like the spirit of this team .” The 5A East will once again be a tough road , but one that usually runs through Greene County . Look for the Golden Eagles to battle in the top half of the conference and for a return to the state tournament .
The Hoxie Mustangs will move into the 3A-3 conference this year with a new coach and a lot of new faces . Coach Nick Beene takes over a Mustang team that finished 8-16 last season and returns no starters from last year ’ s team . “ We are measuring success by daily and weekly growth ,” Coach Beene said . “ We have worked hard in the preseason and improved every week . In a tough conference and non-conference schedule we will be looking to learn how to compete and grow every game .” Seniors Slayde Simms , Logan Light , and Canyon Durham will provide the leadership for the young Stangs . These three provide outside shooting along with their leadership capabilities . Junior Kaleb Miller is one of Hoxie ’ s best athletes , shooters , and ball handlers and should make major contributions this year . Sophomores Braden Lane , Hayden Coats , and Dalton Neely look to make an immediate impact this season . Lane and Neely provide some perimeter scoring and ball handling , while the 6 ’ 4 Coats is super athletic with a lot of potential for growth . It ’ ll be a fresh start for the Hoxie Mustangs : a new coach , a new league , and pretty much a new team . Look for improvements on the floor with the Hoxie program as they compete in the tough 3A-3 conference .
Coach Jeremy Parmer takes over as the head coach of the Hoxie Lady Mustangs after a winless season last year . With two returning starters leading a young crew , Coach Parmer is hoping to see some improvement on the floor . Juniors Gracie Felton and Patricia Russell return after starting last season . Felton is a good rebounder and solid shooter , while Russell is a forward that hustles and plays strong defense . Classmates Ciara Lorren and Kaylea Nelms are looking to fill some roles left by four graduating seniors . Lorren and Nelms both provide rebounding and defense in the post , along with senior Kendra Armstrong . Six sophomores are looking to make an impact at the high school level . Kylee Seibert , Cyanna Martinez , Jayde Coble , Sophia Russell , and Autumn Myrick are all competing for time at a guard spot , while Sydney Noblin can help in the paint . Coach Parmer praises his team ’ s effort and toughness , and hopes those with inexperience will be ready when the conference season rolls around . Look for improvement to show on the floor for the Lady Mustangs this season .