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From the Sports Deskwith Carey Phillips |
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Smoky Mountain's women enjoyed a banner basketball season in 1999-2000.
The Lady Mustangs went 21-4 and won the Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships. It marked their first conference title since 1994. "We had a great season," Coach Cindi Simmons said. "We constantly heard from the fans how much fun the kids were to watch. We even heard those comments from fans of other schools. They were also fun to coach and be around. They always played hard, and the chemistry of the team was very important to the success we had." With four starters returning from a team that finished second in the WAC, expectations were high. "We felt we could contend for a conference championship," Simmons said. "However, we were expecting a very tough race. With the balance in our conference, it was amazing we wrapped up the title with four games left in the season." The balance was evident elsewhere in the league as teams jockeyed for playoff position until the end. Meanwhile the Lady Mustangs showed they were head and shoulders above the rest of the conference. Even though they lost their last two WAC games, they finished three games ahead of second-place Erwin. Highlights included the first two wins over Erwin in school history. The Lady Warriors, who were in their third year in the league, had never lost a WAC game until falling to SM in December. A home victory over Enka stood out because the Lady Mustangs played perhaps their most complete game of the year. A meeting with Enka in the WAC tourney finals was a highlight for another reason as SM rallied for a thrilling one-point win. Simmons said another high point was beating a good Pisgah team three times. One of those was her 300th career win when the Sugar Bears missed a three-pointer at the buzzer allowing SM to escape with a two-point victory. She said the low point was a home loss to Brevard on Senior Night. The only seniors were Nichole Jones and Abi Woody. "Nichole is very unselfish," Simmons said. "She had the ability to get the ball to the open girl. She was outstanding as far as steals. Several times she stepped up and hit a big three. As the only senior starter, Nichole picked up the leadership role. Her love and enthusiasm for the game were obvious to anyone who knew her and especially to her teammates." Jones earned honorable mention all-conference and led the team with 158 assists and 84 steals. "Abi was a valuable reserve inside and filled her role well," the coach said. "She had some big buckets for us throughout the season. One of her strengths was boxing out and rebounding." The bulk of the team was juniors. They included Elexis Smith, Tara Green, Kaitlin Ritchie. Lindsey Lewis, Nathalie Broom, Melissa Collins and Cassie Proffitt. "Elexis was a dominating force inside scoring and rebounding," Simmons said. "For a big girl she runs the floor extremely well." Smith was selected co-conference player of the year after averaging 15.9 points and setting a school record with a rebounding average of 12.8. She scored in double digits every game except one and was in double figures in rebounding in every game except four. Of the 25 games, she recorded 20 double-doubles. "Tara was an excellent three-point shooter who also had the ability to take the ball to the basket," the coach said. "She saw the floor well, and her quickness was a big asset." Green averaged 13.6 points and shot 46.4 percent from three-point range. "Kaitlin's a very versatile player with the ability to play three positions," Simmons said. "She usually had the toughest defensive assignment. She was at the top of her game against Enka when she sustained a broken bone in her hand that limited her playing time the rest of the year." Ritchie averaged 9.9 points and was voted all-conference. She was averaging 11.7 points prior to the injury. "Lindsey played inside and her quickness allowed her to go against taller opponents," the coach said. "She always gave 110 percent. She was an excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive boards." Lewis was honorable mention all-conference. She averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds. She was at her best in the post season when she averaged 13.3 points and 10.0 rebounds. "Nathalie played a crucial role as the first player off the bench," Simmons said. "She had the ability to play inside and outside. She could shoot the three-pointer and made a high percentage of her free throws. When she came in, she brought a lot of energy off the bench." "Melissa was a valuable reserve in the backcourt," the coach said. "She could come in and hit three-pointers." "Cassie always gave everything she had in games and practices," Simmons said. "She seemed to have the knack of hitting a big shot at the buzzer." Sophomores were Courtney Bryson and Christy Pruett. "They stepped in as sophomores on a very experienced team," the coach said. "They took that on as a challenge. Going against those players in practice will make them better and pay off down the road." "Courtney's post skills improved throughout the season, and she became a solid rebounder and defensive player," Simmons said. "Christy was versatile enough to play inside or outside," the coach said. "She always created something when she came in the game." Simmons expressed appreciation to her assistant, Alex Bell, and the JV coach, Heather Broom. "Coach Bell was a valuable addition to the coaching staff," she said. "He brought his expertise in defense, post play and strategy. Heather did another good job with the JV team. I appreciate her help and dedication." Also drawing praise was senior manager Shaman Crowe. "Shaman's been with us four years," Simmons said. "She did anything she was asked including keeping score and filming games. She was dependable and meant a lot to the team." She said men's Coach Scott Hartbarger provided support as did the faculty, staff and administration. She also thanked the elementary and youth teams for their support noting "that's the future of our program." "We had tremendous support from our fans this year," Simmons said. "That's a reflection on our kids for being fun to watch and the type people they are. The crowd we had for the North Buncombe playoff game was unbelievable. I hope everyone enjoyed watching the girls and will be back again next year." You can bet the fans will be back next year, and they may be watching something very special. The Lady Mustangs have a window of opportunity to make a run in the state playoffs. The season ended with a 58-49 loss to North Buncombe. The Lady Hawks then lost by two points to eventual state champion East Henderson so SM isn't that far away. North loses superstar Tiffany Atkins while East will have four starters graduate. Asheville may have the most talented team in the Mountain Athletic Conference next year, but the Lady Cougars aren't playoff tested. Outside the mountains, South Caldwell probably had the best team in the western half of the state. The Lady Spartans also are being hit hard by graduation. The first challenge for the Lady Mustangs is to repeat as WAC champions. They will be the odds-on favorite, but they will also be marked by every team they play. Erwin and Tuscola figure to be improved and will try to close the gap on SM. "With four starters returning and several other experienced players, we'll be expected to contend again next year," Simmons said. "There are no guarantees. We'll spend the spring and summer working on individual skills. We know our opponents are going to be working hard in the off season, and we will have to match that effort. It will be a challenge, but I feel these girls will accept it and are capable of going to the next level." This past season was special and one that provided many thrills for the Lady Mustangs as well as their coaches and fans. Next year could prove to be even bigger. A lot of things would have to go right, but with hard work and a few breaks it's possible that the Lady Mustangs could have a date in Chapel Hill at the Dean Dome in March 2001. |
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