The Walnut Ridge Lady Bobcats finished last season 14-15 and played their way into the regional tournament. Now, with four returning starters, Coach Skip Dulaney and company are looking to climb even higher in the ranks of the 3A-3 and get back to that regional tournament. All four returners are seniors with a lot of game experience and a balanced attack. Senior guard Candace Morgan averaged 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals last season. Classmate Selbi Muradova led the team in scoring at 12 points a contest while averaging five rebounds, two steals, and two assists as well. Backcourt mate and fellow senior Lyla Woods also averaged double figures at 10 points, four assists, and four rebounds, but suffered an injury in June and is hoping to be ready after the Christmas break. Inside, senior Kinley Fisher is a two year starter averaging six points and five rebounds a game. Senior forward Kendy Jackson and junior guard Kodi Thielemier both saw a lot of minutes off the bench last season and are hoping to see expanded roles this season. Sophomores Langley Austin and Chloe Newberry should provide more depth this year as well. Coach Dulaney knows what his team needs to do to get back to the postseason.“ Our strength and keys to our success are defense, sharing the ball, and overall team experience,” he said. Experience is something they have no shortage of. Look for the Walnut Ridge Lady Bobcats to battle in the conference and earn a trip back to the regional tournament with a shot at taking that next step forward to the state tournament.
The Walnut Ridge Bobcats finished last season 6-21, but it was a late season run in the district tournament that earned the Bobcats a trip to the regional tournament and provided a spark for Coach Blake Coffman to build on for this season. Coach Coffman has four returning starters which is another reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season. Seniors Jersie Cunningham and TJ Owens return to the starting lineup along with juniors Jace Blake and Trevor Augustine. Cuningham is a forward with good length and the ability to score around the rim, while Owens led the team in assists last season from a guard spot. Blake is another guard that can get to the rim and guard on the perimeter, and Augustine is an athletic big man at 6’ 5 with great footwork and touch. Several Bobcats will look to make an impact and provide some depth to the lineup. Seniors Jaxton Brady and Easton Richey are guards with good basketball IQ and the ability to shoot from the outside. Junior Ellis Thomas is a guard that can handle the ball and get everyone involved, while classmate Jack Thomas is a strong forward who can rebound and score around the rim. Sophomore Jagger Brady is a good spot up shooter that can handle the ball, and fellow sophomore Jasper Callahan has great speed with ball handling ability. Coach Coffman will be looking to start that run much earlier in the season this time around, but knows what it will take in an always tough 3A-3 conference.“ Our strength will be our size while a key for our success will be handling the pressure and limiting turnovers,” Coach Coffman shared. How early the Walnut Ridge Bobcats get going will depend on how far the football team’ s run in the playoffs lasts, but Coach Coffman’ s group has proven to be tough in the postseason, so look for them to battle for another trip to the regional at the end of the season.
607 Hwy. 67 N. Walnut Ridge, AR 72476 Email: bwalnutridge @ ecbarton. com 870-886-3587 Good Luck Bobcats & Mustangs!