Speed, agility key to Lady Blue Devils hoops hopes

Speed, agility key to Lady Blue Devils hoops hopes

West Memphis’ 2016- 17 campaign kicks off this afternoon in Marion Classic

WM School District The West Memphis Lady Devils may look more like a track team than a basketball team this season.

They have some high flyers and lots and lots of speed.

The Lady Devils open their regular season this afternoon in the Marion Classic at 3:30 p.m. when they take on Earle.

'Athletic ability isn't the question for us this year,' said head coach Shelia Burns. 'We can run, we're quick and we think we'll be better this year when we're playing up-tempo.'

The Lady Devils also have a lot of experience as 10 seniors dot the roster. West Memphis' girls have only one player, senior Ty Bullins, who started regularly last year returning this year. But Burns will rely on newcomers and seniors who saw plenty of prime minutes in junior varsity ball last year.

'We'll play a lot of fullcourt pressure defense this year, which in the past was a trademark of our program,' said Burns. 'We've got the team with the guards that can bring that style of basketball back. In years past we've had to slow down a little and be a little patient with our shots. Our offense is going to rely pretty heavily on our fullcourt pressure defense.'

While Burns admitted that athletic ability isn't the question, 'controlling the ball is.'

In last week's benefit game at home against Little Rock Hall, the Lady Devils indeed pushed it up the floor regularly, but they committed over 30 turnovers in a 56-41 victory.

Bullins will start at center and use her strength and bulk to take up space in the middle. She's also a gifted passer from the high post.

She'll be surrounded by senior Nikki Higgs, who saw high-leverage minutes last year, at one forward and senior Taylor Johnson at the other forward.

Johnson is the team's biggest three-point threat. Her signature game came in an exciting 85-80 doubleovertime loss at North Little Rock in which she scored 16 points, including four three-pointers.

'She's our key to the perimeter,' Burns said of Johnson. 'She's been shooting it well in practice.'

Keara Williams will be the starter at one guard and at the point will be senior Paris Perkins, who should be faster with or without the ball than anyone the Lady Devils play this season.

Perkins enjoyed a standout season last spring in track and field, winning the 100, 200 and 400 meters in the Class 7A state meet.

'She can explode with the ball,' Burns said of Perkins. 'Her ability to get to the basket is really phenomenal. She can also pull up and shooter jumpers or she can penetrate and kick it out to Taylor on the wing.'

Also figuring into the mix will be T.K. Wesley off the bench along with senior center Jayla Shepherd.

Emiyah and Erica Johnson, twin sisters, will also be key reserves along with Tatyana Burks, a junior, who will spell Perkins at point guard.

Burns also has high hopes for sophomore Kenya Freeman, who stood out last season at Wonder Junior High.

The Lady Devils, 15-11 a season ago, will turn around on Friday of this week and play perennial power Little Rock Parkview in the Marion Classic, with a tip time of 4:45 p.m.

By Billy Woods