Like some other teams around the area this season, the UHA Lady Blazers will be looking for players to step up their game in the absence of the team’s leading scorer from last season. Anshanique Leavell and her 17.9 points per game last season are gone, but there are some returning players who figure to make an impact for the Lady Blazers, who were the 2nd Region All A runner-ups last season.
UHA will need one of last season’s top returning players to be a leader and provide an impact on the floor. Junior Lily Hendricks averaged 12.3 points per game last season and saw some time at the point. Coach Taylor Sparks says he expects Hendricks to improve her game and be an on the floor leader for his squad.
A player that could provide an inside presence this year for UHA is Meghan Adams. Adams, who transferred in over the summer from McCracken County, played in 20 games as a sophomore last year for the Lady Mustangs. She averaged 1.6 points per game and pulled down 2.5 rebounds per game. Adams figures to be a big part of the Lady Blazer attack, especially as the season goes on.
The key for the Lady Blazers in the 2018-2019 season could be the play of returning seniors Aisha Pantiere and Alex Juckett, as well as junior Mallory Rager. Juckett averaged 5.8 points per game. Pantiere averaged just 2.0 points per game, but was UHA’s second leading rebounder at 5.5 per game.
Rager averaged 1.6 points, and was another strong rebounder inside, coming up with 4.4 boards per game.
Ball security will likely be a big factor for the Lady Blazers, especially in the 8th District, where they will face high pressure defense from both Christian County and Hopkinsville.
Sparks believes that if his team can find the way to replace the scoring from Leavell, that his returning experience, with the addition of Adams, could lead his team to significant improvement by the end of the season, and that could be enough for them to contend for the All A 2nd Region championship.
The Lady Blazers will open the season at home November 27 against the Hopkins Central Lady Storm.
