Hipps Ratchets Up Game For Greenland

— Ashley Hipps’ best game of the season took place during her team’s biggest — so far.

Hipps scored 19 points on Saturday night in the 3A-1 West District Tournament championship game, leading Greenland to a 47-44 victory over Green Forest. Hipps led all players in scoring, and her efforts resulted in a top seed for the Lady Pirates in this week’s Class 3A Region 1 Tournament.

Greenland opens regional play against Perryville at 4 p.m. today in Charleston.

“It gives us a lot of confidence,” Hipps said of her team’s experience in the conference tournament. “I hope we can come in and show up like we did (last week) and take it all the way.”

A 5-foot-6 junior point guard, Hipps played as a reserve last season, but began this year as one of four new starters for the Lady Pirates.

Only forward Ashley Riggles returned from the starting lineup of last year’s 18-13 squad.

Hipps showed some signs of promise last year. Most notably, she hit a pair of overtime baskets in last year’s district championship game, which Greenland won en route to an appearance in the 3A State Tournament semifinals.

That experience, combined with knowing entering the season that the starting point guard job was hers, gave Hipps plenty of confidence.

“I just stepped up (this year),” Hipps said. “My team needed me. (Having a starting spot) was huge. It gives me a ton of confidence in myself, that I know what to do.”

PROFILE

Ashley Hipps

SCHOOL: Greenland

CLASS: Junior

HEIGHT: 5-foot-6

NOTABLE: Scored 19 points in Greenland’s 47-44 win against Green Forest in the 3A-1 West District Tournament finals. ... Was a reserve on the 2010 team that advanced to the Class 3A State Tournament.

Hipps had some strong performances this season. She scored eight points in the fourth quarter of a one-point nonconference win over Gentry in December.

Still, late in the regular season, Greenland coach Alan Barton pulled Hipps aside and told her that she needed to make some changes on the court.

“We sat down about two weeks ago when she was throwing the ball around,” Barton said. “I said, ‘Look, if you’re not going to be the point guard, distribute the ball like you should, take the shots when we need it, then we’re in trouble.’

“Soon after, she decided to turn over a new leaf, and I think we’re better for it.”

Greenland enters regional play with a 16-10 record, something both Barton and Hipps say is deceiving. In last week’s district tournament, the Lady Pirates defeated a pair of 20-win teams — West Fork and Green Forest — on consecutive nights.

“(We need to) limit our turnovers and stay confident,” Hipps said. “Definitely, we’re way better than what our record shows. We play together.”

With a victory over Perryville, Greenland will make the 3A State Tournament for the second consecutive year, after missing from 2007-09.

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