By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

The expectations for the Blue Eye Lady Bulldogs’ basketball program remain the same this year, just like every other year – to compete for a conference championship and a district championship.

And last season, they accomplished both of those goals – and more.

The Lady Bulldogs captured their fourth-straight district championship last season when they defeated Crane for the Class 2 District 11 title on their way to a second-straight trip to the final four where they finished third.

“We had a great season and finished third in state,” said head coach Ken Elfrink, who is 430-196 at Blue Eye. “We had some big games and finishing fifth in the Pink and White (Lady Classic) with an OT win over El Dorado Springs was a big momentum booster for us.”

Blue Eye finished 25-6 overall and 6-1 in the Southwest Central League without a single senior on the squad, setting up the Lady Bulldogs nicely for the upcoming season.

“We have several seniors on this year’s ball club and the return of the top six should provide us with a lot of experience,” Elfrink said. “Team chemistry and the understanding of roles on the team will be a strength. Team rebounding will need to improve and our overall individual defense.”

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Those top six returnees include seniors Riley Arnold, Avery Arnold, Kyla Warren, Makayla Johnson, Gracyn Fairchild and junior Samantha George.

• Riley Arnold, 5-foot-8 senior point guard – Averaged 17.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 3.6 steals per game. Named to the Class 2 All-State first team, all-district and SWCL Player of the Year. A four-sport athlete and all-state performer in cross country, volleyball, basketball and track and field; a three-time state champion in cross country. Named Overall Girls Athlete of the Year from the Springfield Sports Commission, as well as Female Cross Country Athlete of the Year. Committed to Southwest Baptist University for Track and Field. “A very intelligent floor general,” Elfrink said. “A scoring point guard who is well-rounded in every aspect of her game; can handle it, shoots the 3 well. A tough kid who plays at a high level. Accepts any challenge and plays with a high motor on every possession. A very good defender and is not afraid of the big moments.”
• Avery Arnold, 5-7 senior guard – Averaged 14.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.5 spg. Earned Class 2 All-State First-Team, all-district first-team and SWCL Defensive Player of the Year honors. Also a four-sport athlete in cross country, volleyball, basketball and track and field. All-state in basketball, cross country, and track. Committed to Lyon College to play basketball. “Tough, hard-nosed defender and competes at a high level. Has a very good skill-set and shoots the 3 well and attacks the rim. Never afraid of a challenge; always wants to guard the opposing team’s best player. One of the hardest working kids I’ve had the opportunity to coach. Worked through some injuries last season and was playing her best at the end of the year. Expect her to have an even better senior year.”
• Kyla Warren, 5-4 senior guard/forward – Averaged 10.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.9 spg. Earned first-team all-district and all-conference honors. All-state sprinter in the 100 and 200 meters. Receiving college interest in track and field. “Great athlete and very fast. Attacks the rim well. A very good leaper and rebounder for her size. Will defend in the post and has the ability to defend out front on a guard. Offensively, has the ability to be a special player. Good mid-range shooter and runs the floor well. Had a great finish to the season and expect her to continue to improve her senior season.”
• Makayla Johnson, 5-4 senior forward – Averaged 5.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, .7 apg, 1.7 spg. Named all-conference honorable mention. “Inside player who plays bigger than her size. She is a great rebounder and goes after everything. A very good athlete and strong kid. Led us in rebounding and is willing to do whatever needs to be done. Tough kid who led us in charges taken last season with 18 (most ever by one of my players.) Expect her to play a bigger role on the offensive side this season.”
• Gracyn Fairchild, 5-7 senior guard/forward – Averaged 7.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 2.5 spg. “Stepped into a starting role last year and had some big games for us. She has the ability to shoot the spot-up 3 very well and anticipates well on defense. A very good rebounder and can attack the rim and shoot it from deep. Expect her to improve her overall game from the experience she received last season.”
• Samantha George, 5-8 junior forward – Averaged 3.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg, .4 apg, .4 spg. “Played big minutes off the bench last season as our sixth man. A very good rebounder and great team player. Offensively, I expect her game to improve but gave us solid minutes last season.”

Elfrink also will be looking to Lily Feagans (5-7 junior forward), Hailey Hobbs (5-9 sophomore forward), Kieryn Fairchild (5-5 sophomore guard) and a few freshmen to contribute this season.

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The Lady Bulldogs will participate in a jamboree at Logan-Rogersville on Nov. 15 before opening the regular season against St. James in the BSN Rolla Shootout on Nov. 20.

“We play a tough schedule early with the likes of St. James, Tipton, Bergman, Ark., Miller, Berryville and the Pink and White, all before the first of the year,” Elfrink said. “So, there won’t be a lot of surprises, as we will be challenged early.

“Staying healthy is always a concern and key; not becoming complacent and staying hungry. This group has had a lot of success in all sports that they have participated, so the target will be on our back night in night out. Preparation is always a key; withstanding our tough schedule early and peaking at the right time.”