By Chris Parker
Ben Phillips takes over as the head coach of the Conway girls basketball team this year. The Lady Bears finished 7-17 last season.
Cassie Vestal returns for her senior season after earning all-conference honors as a sophomore and junior. She will be the lone senior on Conway’s roster.
“Her basketball IQ is what I have noticed so far, she understands what teams are trying to do, who they are trying to stop, and what she needs to do to help her team,” Phillips said. “She is going to be our only senior this year so the floor leadership is going to have to be where she steps up this year. She can shoot, she can play defense, she is a multisport athlete so it’s all there for her to put it together and dictate what we do on the floor.”
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Emily Lewis, Graceson Cromer Lakin Shelton and Jamison Cromer also return to the varsity squad for Conway.
Two freshmen will factor into the varsity equation with Breanna Thompson and Jamison Cromer looking to provide valuable minutes. Thompson is a six-foot post player.
“Our biggest strength is our athleticism; every one of our girls is multisport athletes including some all state cross country and track runners. We are going to be able to get up and down the floor and wear some teams out,” Phillips said. “The biggest obstacle is obviously a new coach this year. It always takes an adjustment period to get used to new philosophy, language, and coaching style. We’ve put in some work this offseason together so hopefully we can make that adjustment early in the season.”
Conway opens the season Dec. 2 at home against Ava.
