Jessica Hurst, P. T.- Brandi Hurst, P. T. 1401 East Moultrie Blytheville, AR 72315 Telephone: 870-762-5000 Fax: 870-762-6688
The East Poinsett County Warriors have been the class of 2A after winning back to back state titles. EPC finished 26-8 and cut down the nets in Hot Springs for the second straight year, and with four starters back, Coach JeMarcus Thaxton’ s squad will be one of the favorites to do it a third time. Jacob Gaines is the leading returning scorer for EPC. The senior earned an All-State selection last year averaging 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists a game, and Coach Thaxton says he has made improvements.“ Jacob has been a consistent scorer and rebounder for us the last few years,” Coach said.“ His ability is to get to the rim and finish through contact. He has worked on his game over the summer and looks to show his improvement this season.” Fellow senior Doug Reel also returns in the paint.“ Doug has been a solid force in the paint for the last 3 years,” Thaxton said.“ He is a lot quicker than people think. He has put in a lot of work this off season getting in better shape and that will allow us to play faster than we did last year.” Coach Thaxton and the Warriors lose junior Quincy Perry as he transferred to Blytheville mid-season. The Warriors will need to find a way to replace what he brought to the table. Ashton Reel is also back in the starting lineup where he averaged 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds a night.“ Ashton brings a level of physicality and toughness to the team.” Coach Thaxton described.“ He has the ability to score on all three levels and still guard the opposing team ' s best player the entire game. He will be a match up nightmare for teams to find ways to stop him.” Coach Thaxton likes the experience he is bringing back to the floor.“ All of these guys bring back a ton of experience. These guys have won two state finals and some tough games in tough gyms. When in shape and playing together this group can really accomplish anything. They do a good job of playing to each other ' s strengths, getting the ball to each other in the right places at the right time and playing together on defense.” The Warriors will have some depth as well. AJ Johnson played key minutes in last year’ s state title run and will play a valuable role this season on and off the ball. Devin Magee plays with a lot of energy and rebounds and defends well. Bari Shepard has taken the last two years off to focus on football and will provide some depth inside, while Jamaure Young is a senior that can knock down the outside shot. Fellow senior Hayden Stone played some key minutes last season and will look to expand his role, while Drake Williams is a skilled guard that can score the ball and has great vision. With two titles to their name, Coach Thaxton knows the target is squarely on the Warriors.“ This year we will focus on doing things the right way and continuing to get better every day,” he said.“ We play to the standard that we have set for ourselves. Our strength will be our experience and our physicality and defensive ability. We will look to play great team defense and continue to rebound well. Our weakness will be that we have won back-to-back. Remaining humble and continuing to trust and work through the process can keep us going. We have to remain hungry.” With so much returning talent, the EPC Warriors should be a favorite to make it back to the Spa City, but it is never easy coming out one of the toughest conferences in the state in the 2A-3 and the toughest region in the state. If there is one thing that East Poinsett County has proven, is to never count them out!
After a strong 22 – 14 season that included a 13 – 3 mark in the 2A-3 Conference, the East Poinsett County Lady Warriors are reloaded and ready for another big run under head coach Spencer Harston. With a talented mix of returning experience and athleticism, EPC looks poised to make noise once again in both conference and postseason play. Leading the way is junior guard Allison Gaines, an All-Conference and All-State selection who averaged 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals per game last year. Gaines is a dynamic athlete who attacks the rim, rebounds well for her position, and has improved her jumper— making her one of the most complete players in the area. Senior guard Riley Ashcraft brings leadership, smart decision-making, and reliable outside shooting after averaging 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Her poise and basketball IQ make her a steadying presence in the backcourt. Senior forward Kelly Ashcraft anchors the paint as the team’ s vocal leader and rim protector, while junior Kylee Henderson contributes hustle, rebounding, and improved shooting. Sophomore Cambria Williams adds athleticism and attacking ability, and senior Madison Thomas provides solid ball-handling and perimeter shooting. Junior forward Zaniya Shepherd brings toughness inside with her finishing and rebounding. Coach Harston is excited about this team’ s speed and defensive potential, believing their athleticism will allow for a faster tempo and stronger on-ball pressure. With improved shooting, developing depth, and a challenging schedule to toughen them up for postseason play, the Lady Warriors have all the tools to compete every night— and the drive to make another deep run when it matters most.
Jessica Hurst, P. T.- Brandi Hurst, P. T. 1401 East Moultrie Blytheville, AR 72315 Telephone: 870-762-5000 Fax: 870-762-6688