The Corning Bobcats made their way back to the 3A State Tournament last year , finishing 23-12 . Coach Wesley Couch graduated four starters from that team , but has a very senior laden team returning . The Bobcats will make the move down to the 2A-3 , which they recognize as one of the most balanced leagues ’ in the state . Seth Green is the lone returning starter this season . The senior center shot 55 % from the floor last year and recorded almost 300 rebounds . Green is a tough , physical player who can score around the basket . He will provide toughness and leadership to this Corning squad . Senior Jakob Cox is a quick point guard that can beat defenders off the bounce and knock down perimeter shots . He brings intensity and toughness and will guard the opponents best guard most nights . Senior Haydon Cox is a tough guard who loves to compete . The sharpshooter is as good of an outside threat as anyone and can guard . Fellow senior Peyton Cartwright is a strong , physical guard who can get to the rim and knock down outside shots . Cartwright is a bigger guard who can create mismatches for the defense . Classmate Reid McMasters is a smooth lefty with a nice touch around the basket . The senior forward is athletic that allows him to be a force in the lane and a rim protector on defense . Senior guard Seth Smith has a high basketball IQ and can score in the lane and from the outside . Ethan Guthrie is another senior guard that can handle the ball and run the offense . Guthrie can knock down shots or get open teammates the ball . Coach Couch knows what the challenges are in the new conference . “ The 2024-2025 keys to success for the Bobcats will be defending the basketball and rebounding ,” he said . “ We have to limit our opponents ' opportunities to score . We have to play smart , physical and under control . Success lies in our ability to do the small things consistently . These guys play for each other and have each other ' s backs . They will play with a chip on their shoulders wanting to prove themselves .” Look for the Corning Bobcats to make their presence felt in the 2A-3 and compete at the top of the conference for a chance at a regional berth .
Coach Wesley Couch pulls double duty in Corning , as he is also the head coach for the Lady Bobcats . The Lady Cats finished 21-11 last season , earning a trip to the regional tournament . Coach Couch ’ s girls will make the transition to the 2A-3 . Corning will have a lot of inexperience on the floor , with the only returning starter , junior Katie Karr , missing the season due to injury . A large senior class will provide the leadership needed to navigate this new season and conference for the Lady Bobcats . Avery Glasgow is a senior guard who is a team leader and capable of knocking down outside shots . Glasgow can handle the ball and use her athleticism to defend . Senior forward Emily Selig is a vocal leader on the floor . She knows where everyone should be and directs traffic on the floor while being a big encourager . Selig can knock down the mid-range jumper and has a high basketball IQ . Senior guard Hayleigh Cox is a tough gritty player with a high motor . She uses her speed to guard and get to the rim and finish . Fellow senior guard Taylor Ingram is a shifty guard who can handle the ball . She uses her quickness to harass opponents on defense and can knock down open looks . Coach Couch knows what it will take for this version of the Corning Lady Bobcats to be successful . “ The 2024- 2025 Lady Bobcats season will be determined by how we improve throughout the season ,” he said . “ We have to be better at the end of the season than we are now . We must learn to trust ourselves in the moments throughout the game and not lose confidence . Attention to detail , and the little things will determine the outcome of some games . Team chemistry and willingness to be coached are strengths of this group .” Look for the Corning Lady Bobcats to gain experience and compete late in the season for another regional berth .
The Armorel Tigers return a good mix of experienced players and young talent in hopes of improving on last season ’ s 9-20 record . Coach Shannon Miller ’ s squad only lost one starter from last year ’ s squad . Jackson Welch and Zach Moody are the seniors leading the way for the Tigers . Welch is a two year starter at guard that can shoot and create off the dribble . Moody is a great defender and team player from the other guard spot . Juniors Kadin Knott , Braylen Williams , and Ben Braswell all had experience on the floor last season . Knot is a tough and physical defender , while Williams is a great rebounder and runs the floor well . Braswell will work at the point guard spot where he can score or get others involved . Senior Logan Crocker can shoot the three and is a good passer , and classmate Bradlee Vardinakis is a good defender . Sophomores Kelan Woolsey , Preston Wallace , Thomas Gall , Jacob Welch , Braden Burnham , Richard Vardinkas , Semaj Slater , Aiden Allen , and Braylen Smith will all look to make an impact at the high school level and provide depth for Coach Miller . “ Our keys to success will be limiting our turnovers and shooting high percentage shots ,” Coach said . “ If we can do those two things it will allow us to be able to do some different things defensively to make our opponent uncomfortable . We are a young team with a mix of experienced players and inexperienced players . Our success will also depend on how well we gel together and have great team chemistry .” Look for the Tigers to have a chance to make the regional tournament .
The Armorel Lady Tigers finished last season with a 7-23 record , but Wes Sanders ’ squad is looking to continue to improve this upcoming year . Leading the way is senior Emily Loyd . The three year starter is the Lady Tigers leading returning scorer and is very crafty around the basket . She is also a playmaker on defense with her quickness and ball pressure . Fellow senior Alexis Gifford will be an inside presence this season . Gifford has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor and is a tenacious rebounder on both ends of the floor . Sophomore Baylee Van Dyke returns after starting as a freshman last year . Van Dyke is the primary ball handler and is an outside scoring threat with a knack of getting to the rim . Seniors Kylee Tillman and sophomores Skylar Ashmore and Hayden Flatness are looking to fill roles in the Armorel lineup . Tillman is a scrappy player who can impact both ends of the floor with hustle plays . Ashmore will be one of the main outside threats for the Lady Tigers , while Flatness will look to make an immediate impact after leading the junior high team in scoring last season . Fellow sophomores Clare Wallace , Isabell Wicker , and Maddie Britt will also look to contribute early for Armorel . Coach Sanders knows what it will take for his team to compete . “ If our team looks to be successful this year , we are going to have to play very aggressive defense and be able to capitalize on every opportunity that the opposing teams give us ,” Coach Sanders said . “ We are a fairly young team and a bit undersized , but we have been working hard every day and we get along very well , so I am excited to see how we work together to compete this year within a tough 1A-3 Girls basketball conference .” The 1A-3 has proven to be one of the state ’ s toughest girls ’ conferences , and the addition of Earle doesn ’ t make it easier . Look for the Armorel Lady Tigers to improve and compete every night .