The Rector Lady Cougars enter the new season with renewed energy and a fresh direction under first-year head coach Tyler Riddle. Coming off a. 500 season, the Lady Cougars return a core group of experienced and talented players ready to make a push in the 2A-3 conference. Leading the way is junior guard Rylee Wilburn, a three-year starter and the engine that drives the Lady Cougars. The 5’ 10” standout is dynamic and versatile, capable of playing all five positions on the floor. Wilburn averaged 19.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game last season, earning All-State honors and surpassing 1,000 career points. She’ s a vocal leader, confident passer, and a deep shooting threat. Junior guard Anna Isom adds consistency and toughness, averaging 8 points and 3 rebounds last season while shooting 32 % from beyond the arc. A fierce competitor and three-sport athlete, Isom brings a winning mentality to every game. Senior forward Cearra Machon, the team’ s lone senior, provides leadership and versatility, often tasked with defending opponents’ top players. Other key contributors include junior guard Bailey Vangilder, whose speed and ball-handling set the tone defensively; junior guard Briana Johnson, an explosive athlete who brings energy and intensity; junior forward Micaela Ward, a physical inside presence; junior forward Anniston Scott, a high-IQ player who puts the team first; and sophomore guard Kendall Brandon, a skilled, athletic scorer who can shoot and attack the rim. Coach Riddle plans to implement a fast-paced, aggressive defensive style, using pressure and tempo to fuel the team’ s offense. With experience, depth, and a collective hunger to compete, the Lady Cougars are poised to make noise in the 2A-3 this season.
The Rector Cougars return plenty of excitement and promise this season under head coach Matt Mills, following a strong 20-win campaign a year ago. With a mix of veteran leadership and talented underclassmen, the Cougars are poised to make some noise in the 2A ranks once again. Leading the charge is senior forward Lane Hemphill, a two-year starter who averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds per game last season. Coach Mills believes Hemphill could be one of the top 2A players in the state thanks to his combination of skill, power, and leadership. Sophomore point guard Ford Mills steps in as the floor general after earning spot starts last season. A true point guard, he can score in multiple ways and control the tempo of the game. Junior guard Mason Mooney adds firepower from the perimeter and has the potential to emerge as one of the conference’ s premier guards. Senior forward Kason Jetton brings toughness and a physical presence in the paint, while junior transfer Keaton Wicker adds length, athleticism, and versatility to the frontcourt. Junior forward Ben Schimming anchors the defense with grit and hustle, and sophomore Brody McNeely, coming off an all-conference junior high season, is a crafty young guard with a high basketball IQ ready to make an immediate impact. With great team chemistry, a deep love for the game, and one of the region’ s best players in Hemphill, the Cougars promise to be an exciting, high-energy team that fans will love to watch this season.
The Piggott Lady Mohawks started last season hot, but hit a wall in the middle of the season finishing 12- 11. Now, with more depth, Coach Clinton Haley is hoping his team can stay more consistent throughout the season. The Lady Mohawks return everyone from last season, and will add some key pieces to add to their depth. Junior Libby Brantley brings two years of starting experience back to the court where she was an All-State and All-Conference selection. Brantley is long and athletic and can score at all three levels. Defensively, she alters shots and is a good rebounder. Brooklyn Langley is another two year starter who earned All-Conference last season. Langley is the lead offensive guard returning and is impactful in the transition game. Junior Blakely Donner returns to the starting lineup as a dependable two way player who can guard on the perimeter and knock down the outside shot. Classmate Madden Mack is a combo guard / forward that can score from anywhere on the floor. Mack suffered an injury late in the season last year, but is working her way back. Sophomore Kayla Brenna is an uber athlete with a year of starting under her belt. Brenna has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Junior Lyla Noble-Nelson is a forward that does all the dirty work and is the ultimate hustle player according to her coach. Sophomores Alyssa Lemmons, Keelee Simpson, Olivia Minton, and Alison Conley are hoping to add much needed depth and make big contributions this season. Lemmons is a very good shooter who can add depth in the backcourt along with Minton who is extremely athletic and impactful on the defensive end. Simpson is a forward with a good midrange game, while Conley’ s length could help out on the defensive end.“ Seven of our ten players were a part of the state qualifying volleyball team,” Coach Haley said.“ So, we will have to get caught up to everyone else really fast. We have significantly better depth this year, but need to stay as healthy as possible.” Look for the added depth of the Piggott Lady Mohawks to give them the shot in the arm they need to get over the hump in the 2A-3 and compete for a regional tournament berth.
The Piggott Mohawks lost six seniors to graduation and return zero starters, so in order for coach Scott Dodd to turn things around, he will have to rely on a new cast of characters.“ This year, we will be starting and playing student athletes who do not have much game time experience at all,” Dodd said.“ We will be led by this trio of seniors.” Cason Maynard, Ryan Dutka, and Gavin Reynolds are the three seniors that will lead the Mohawks. Coach Dodd said Maynard is the motor of the team, Dutka can shoot it from the outside, and Reynolds will handle the ball the most from the point guard position. Juniors Thaddeus Martinez, Gunner Reaves, and Houston Dunlap will also get a chance to play big parts this season. Martinez and Dunlap will provide a presence in the paint, while Reeves is considered the team’ s top defender. Sophomore Jake Scheidler has come on strong inside, especially for never playing junior or senior high basketball before.“ We will be very inexperienced and will have to work together as a team to give ourselves a chance to compete in a very tough 2A-3 conference,” Coach Dodd summed up. The Piggott Mohawks will look to gain experience as the year progresses in order to compete for a regional tournament spot when the district tournament rolls around.