Coming off a memorable end to the 2014-15 basketball season -- which was highlighted by a postseason run to the Class 6A state finals -- the Siloam Springs Lady Panthers head into the 2015-16 season with more uncertainties and questions than in previous years.
A big reason why is what was lost to graduation from last year's team.
Siloam Springs Lady Panthers
2015-16 varsity girls basketball schedule
Date Opponent Time
Nov. 19 at Gravette 6 p.m.
Dec. 3-5 at Rogers Great 8 Invitational TBA
Dec. 7-12 at Jerry Oquin Invitational TBA
Dec. 15 Tulsa (Okla.) Webster 6 p.m.
Dec. 18 at Rogers Heritage 6 p.m.
Dec. 29-31 Panther Holiday Classic TBA
Jan. 5 at Springdale 6 p.m.
Jan. 8 Mount St. Mary* 6 p.m.
Jan. 12 at Greenwood* 6 p.m.
Jan. 15 Russellville* 6 p.m.
Jan. 19 Van Buren* 6 p.m.
Jan. 22 at Conway* 6 p.m.
Jan. 26 at Alma* 6 p.m.
Jan. 29 Bryant* 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 at Mount St. Mary* 6 p.m.
Feb. 9 Greenwood* 6 p.m.
Feb. 12 at Russellville* 6 p.m.
Feb. 16 at Van Buren* 6 p.m.
Feb. 19 Conway* 6 p.m.
Feb. 23 Alma* 6 p.m.
Feb. 26 at Bryant* 6 p.m.
March 1-6 Class 6A State Tournament TBA
March 11-13 State Championships TBA
# Arkansas Activities Association benefit game
* 7A/6A-Central Conference game
The Lady Panthers must replace five of their top six scorers from a year ago, and several players on this year's team will be seeing key minutes for the first time in their varsity careers.
"This year's group is inexperienced," said third-year coach Tim Rippy, who is 36-22 in his first two seasons at the helm of the Lady Panthers. "Even our older kids haven't gotten to play as much because of the previous group in front of them. However, they're working hard every single day.
"Our mission is to be as good of a basketball team as we can be in early March."
The Lady Panthers open their season on Thursday at Gravette.
Senior post Haley Stewart (5-foot-9) returns as Siloam Springs' top returning scorer from last year's team.
Stewart came off the bench and averaged 3.8 points per game last year while playing behind forwards Mayse Pippin and Baily Cameron. She'll be counted on much more this season, Rippy said.
"We're going to need Haley to be a presence there in the post and score consistently," Rippy said. "It's also important that she's able to go to the free-throw line between eight to 10 times per game."
Stewart is one of five seniors on the roster, all of whom are expected to contribute.
Senior guard Abby Cox (5-9) started some for the Lady Panthers at point guard a year ago and will assume those duties again.
"Abby has been in the gym all fall," Rippy said. "She's been more aggressive attacking the basket, and she's been shooting the ball really well. It needs to continue for us to be successful."
Seniors Gabrielle Hufford (5-7), Alexis Duffy (5-7) and Larissa Tillery (5-1) all saw limited varsity action last year, but all three are expected to play more of a role this year.
Hufford, a guard, is a good shooter, Rippy said, but her biggest question marks have been on defense.
"If she can defend for us, she'll be on the floor," he said. "She can shoot it and help handle the ball. She needs to be ready to hit spot shots, which is her strength."
Duffy, who recently joined the team after helping the girls cross country team to a state title, helps the Panthers at a guard or forward spot.
"She's a kid we can use to face guard in our zone defense," Rippy said. "She can get a lot of tips on the wing."
Tillery is another guard who plays hard, Rippy said.
"Her job will be to come in and hit shots for us," he said.
Sidney Henry (5-1) is the Lady Panthers' only junior on the roster and gives the team a boost of energy and toughness defensively.
The Lady Panthers have eight sophomores, several of whom will see lots of playing time.
Sophomore guard Morgan Vaughn (5-3) will play some point guard and shooting guard for the Lady Panthers.
"She's a sophomore with a lot of ability," Rippy said. "A big area of importance for her is taking care of the ball consistently."
Sophomore guard Shaylon Sharp (5-9) just joined the team after volleyball season. Sharp has caught the coaches' eye with her length and athleticism.
"She's athletic and she works hard," Rippy said. "She shoots it pretty well too. When we're using our zone defense she is a big factor with her athleticism and her length."
Sophomore forward Hadlee Hollenback (5-9) is one of the team's most athletic players and will help the Lady Panthers in the post.
"She's crazy athletic," Rippy said. "She's going to be extremely active on the glass. We're hoping to see offensive improvement and more aggressiveness. She has all the tools."
Sophomore Kirsten Loftis-Williams, despite being 5-6, will help some in the post.
"She's small but she's really tough," Rippy said. "At some point Haley and Hadlee will need a break and we'll need some depth there."
Sophomores Anna Baccus (5-0), Brianna Ponticello (5-1), Kenlie Noel (5-8) and Abby Vaughn (5-7) are also contributing to the team and will see lots of junior varsity action.
After playing Gravette on Thursday, the Lady Panthers won't play again until Dec. 3 in the 2015 First National Bank of NWA Great 8 Girls Basketball Classic at Rogers Heritage. They'll then play in the Jerry Oquin Invitational in Inola, Okla., Dec. 7-12 before their first home game against Tulsa (Okla.) Webster on Dec. 15.
The Lady Panthers begin 7A/6A-Central Conference play on Jan. 8 against Mount St. Mary.
NOTES: The Lady Panthers lost at Class 4A power Huntsville 53-42 on Saturday in an Arkansas Activities Association benefit game. Huntsville led 12-8 after the first period and 28-10 at halftime. The Lady Eagles carried a 39-22 advantage into the fourth quarter. Siloam Springs outscored Huntsville 20-14 in the fourth quarter and 32-25 in the second half. Senior Abby Cox led the Lady Panthers with 16 points, while seniors Haley Stewart and Gabrielle Hufford each scored eight for Siloam Springs.
Sports on 11/18/2015