Team balance is goal for Lady Wildcats

As a 2018 graduate of Vina High School and a four-year assistant coach with the Red Devils, Tharptown girls head basketball coach Abby Ward is no stranger to the Lady Wildcats.

However, the first-year head coach will now sit on the opposite side of the court as she looks to lead the Lady Wildcats back to the postseason.

Ward said her two seniors, Abby Wilson and Alyssa Fisher, will be “heavily relied on” as she gets a better feel for how her team will shape up when actual game action rolls around. Juniors Jayden Partain and Breana Amaro will also provide some key depth Another key cog in Ward’s projections will be 6’1” sophomore post player Carly Cason, who posted a team-high 21 points last season against Ward and the Vina Red Devils and was the go-to offensive weapon for the Lady Wildcats a year ago.

One player who might fly under the radar, Ward said, is transfer freshman Raeligh Harrell, who is someone she hopes can fit prominently into the game plan.

As she was hired in April, Ward has had limited time to see her team in full action. However, based on the sense she has already gotten, Ward thinks playing an up-tempo brand of basketball could lead to some success on the court.

“We’ve really been working hard to get into shape,” Ward said. “Running the court and getting the ball out quick is going to be one of our strengths based on what I’ve seen so far.”

On the flip side, Ward said she has been working to get the team on the same page when it comes to playing together and not just handing the ball off to one person and letting them carry things.

“Last year, I think they relied too much on one person and that can really drain things,” Ward said. “We need more of a team effort and get everybody on the same page and wanting the same things. Everyone has a role they have to play, and if we can get to the point where we’re supporting each other, I like where we’ll be at.”