ROGERS — Rogers Heritage’s Lacey Murray understands she’s not in junior high anymore.
The 5-foot-9 sophomore has turned into a focal point for defenses around the 7A-West Conference.
“It’s way harder to get a shot,” Murray said. “Teams scout you and know what you’re doing.”
Opposing players point at her as she cuts along the baseline, using screens along the way. Opposing coaches yell, “Shooter,” when she gets the basketball in any kind of position to score.
“She’s been solid enough when we go into games people label her as a shooter, and they definitely want to know where she is at all times,” Heritage girls basketball Kevin Ramey said. “Lacey’s turned into a weapon that other teams have to account for.”
Especially since Murray has made 39 3-pointers this season for the Lady War Eagles (6-16, 2-7).
Ramey came to the realization Murray needed to get more minutes in mid-December, inserting her into the starting lineup for good. The reason was pretty simple.
“We identified her and Brittany (Ward) and Ashley (Ward) as the three who were putting in the basket the most for us at the time,” Ramey said. “Lacey was playing about 16 to 20 minutes at the time, and we said, ‘Hey, we’ve got to get her 25 plus.’”
In addition, Murray’s increased minutes have resulted in increased production.
“She’s averaging eight points a game, but that’s going up,” Ramey said. “Sometimes you see even with the increased minutes the production stays the same or even goes down.”
Ramey credits Murray’s work ethic for her improved numbers, especially since she’s been forced to make adjustments to her shot. There’s an easy answer for why she’s the team’s top shooter.
“She’s the one that shoots the most,” Ramey said. “After practice, she’s got a ball in her hands. On the weekend, she’s got a ball in her hands. That’s a credit to her.”
Murray said things are getting a little easier with almost an entire season at the high school level under her belt.
“It’s been hard because I’m a sophomore, but coach Ramey and coach (Andy) Brakebill have helped me a lot,” Murray said.
Brakebill, a Heritage assistant coach, has helped Murray adjust her shot to get it off more quickly, Ramey said.
“She doesn’t have as much time,” Ramey said. “That’s been the big change for her. The whole thing is you have to be ready to shoot, having your hands ready and your feet in position.
“But the one thing I love about her is she’s so coachable. Anything you tell her, she just soaks it up.”
Shooting the basketball may be Murray’s best skill, but since she’s also Heritage’s tallest player among the regulars, she’s also asked to guard the opposing team’s top post player.
That’s not an easy job, either, since the 7A-West is filled with several players who are 6 foot or taller. But it’s one that Murray has accepted readily.
“She’s learning the physicality of our league and battling bigger, stronger players than her every night,” Ramey said. “Usually that’s something you don’t want with a shooter because you can sometimes take them inside, post them up and take their legs away.”
But Murray’s goal for the remainder of this season and the future is simple.
“Just practice and try to get better,” Murray said.
Ramey wouldn’t mind that, either.