PRAIRIE GROVE -- During the Black and Gold basketball scrimmage held Nov. 8, Prairie Grove girls coach Kevin Froud didn't sugarcoat the fact his team needs to get healthy, gain experience and improve.
"It's still early, we've got some people with injuries, who've got to get better," Froud said. "We've got some sophomores, who've got to get experience."
With eight sophomores on the squad, Froud said the Lady Tigers have got to take one day at a time and constantly strive to get better. Six seniors graduated from last year's 4A-1 Conference championship team and that isn't the only thing different. This season, Prairie Grove will play in a Class 3A/4A District 1, along with Gentry, Gravette, Greenland, Elkins, Lincoln, Shiloh Christian and West Fork. The Lady Tigers then compete for a Regional tournament berth in a 4A-1 district tourney at the conclusion of the regular season.
Senior Parker Lopez, one of Prairie Grove's most experienced players who made varsity as a freshman, is out with injury and not expected back in the lineup until after the Thanksgiving break. Lopez reflected on her four seasons of high school basketball during the Black and Gold game, saying, "Going out my freshman year was a lot intimidating, but with all the experience I've had, it's gotten so much easier. I feel like I've gotten better. All the experience has helped me a lot."
Lopez said she appreciates the way in which local fans support the girls basketball program by spending large sums of money on home-baked pies and other treats with those funds going into travel and other expenses.
"The fans are always here, every game, supporting the team," Lopez said. "It means a lot."Lopez was missed with Prairie Grove losing their season-opener, 53-40, to Huntsville Nov. 15. The Eagles had a hot shooting hand behind the outside-inside duo of guard Maci Campbell (18 points) and center Delanie Tipton (14 points and 17 rebounds). Campbell sank five 3-point shots and her teammates made as many giving the Eagles 30 points from behind the arc. The Eagles limited Prairie Grove to a pair of 3-pointers in the opening period by Cassidi Sapp and Lexie Madewell. Huntsville led 13-6 and maintained a 7-point margin, leading 26-19 at halftime, then upped the lead to double digits, at 45-33, going into the fourth quarter.
Senior Camree Bartholomew led Prairie Grove with 12 points while sophomore Larisha Crawford contributed nine points off the bench. The Lady Tigers take on rival Farmington at Cardinal Arena Monday.
Sports on 11/23/2016