Inside game expected to be strong for A-J girls’ basketball team

Opponents could notice a different look  in the paint for the Anna-Jonesboro Community High School girls’ basketball team this season. 

“Our inside game should be really, really strong,” A-J girls’ basketball coach Brian Clark said. “We’ve got two pretty good inside players back.  We’ve got the size.”

The Lady Wildcats return two seniors from last year’s 13-14 squad. Clark is looking for success from the inside dual threat of 6-1 center Jessi Stone and 5-9 forward Valerie Pender.

Top guard candidates are 5-4 junior guard Brooke Chamness, 5-4 junior guard Kim Mixen and 5-7 junior Katie Grant. Clark said Chamness and Mixen are both 3-point shooting threats. The other junior that will be vying for playing time is 5-8 forward/guard Erica Friebel.

Sophomores who could see varsity action are 6-1 center Kara Farris and 5-10 forward Krista Pender.

Three freshmen guards  will move up to varsity.  5-2 Balyie Denny, 5-3 Natty Hepburn and 5-4 Sammy Brimm hope to contribute. “Those three freshmen guards are really good,” Clark noted.

Clark said the team will be lacking in one area. “We’re still inexperienced off the bench,” Clark said.”We’re going to be young in areas, but I like the way the progress is going.”

Clark said the team is concentrating on one area in practice. “I think we’ll have to be more committed on the defensive end,” he said. “Then, the offense will take care of itself.”

Clark looks for a more competitive River-to-River Mississippi Division Conference race since Nashville lost a lot of starters from last season’s dominating squad.

Assistant coach this year is Krystal (Stein) Emrick, a former Nashville High School standout athlete.


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