Change seems to be the buzzword at Heritage Christian Academy these days, especially in regards to its girls’ basketball program.
Darrell Crawford, who led the Warriors to a state baseball championship in the spring, moves over from the boys’ program to lead the Lady Warriors. After 3 1/2 years of leading both the boys’ and the girls’ programs, Matt McGowan decided to concentrate on being the boys’ coach this year.
Crawford inherits three starters and two key reserves from last year‘s Lady Warrior team that finished 2-13 and lost in the first round of the state tournament.
Hallie Zieg was named to both the KCAA All-State team and All-State Tournament Team and will be moved to the point guard position to help facilitate the offense.
Senior Tori Sutton and junior Bailey Craft return on the front line to give the Lady Warriors experience, scoring, and rebounding.
Rachel Robson was a key player off the bench for the Lady Warrior backcourt last year and will slide into a starter’s role this year. Liana Carr gives HCA both intensity and production off the bench this year.
The Lady Warriors also have a slew of underclassmen that can produce if their name is called. Their development throughout the season could play a large role in the success of the Lady Warriors in the postseason.
The change doesn’t stop with the personnel. Heritage Christian Academy will be playing KHSAA teams for the first time this year. They have four of them on the schedule. They are still two years away from competing in the 8th District alongside city schools UHA, Fort Campbell, and the new combined high school of Hopkinsville Christian County. However, the upgraded schedule against area teams should help them as they look to get back to the KCAA championship game for the first time since 2018.
After HCA’s 46-24 win over Valor Christian to begin the season, Coach Darrell Crawford discussed the win and looked at the season ahead.
