ROGERS — Some might be surprised to hear the Rogers Heritage Lady War Eagles are still in the hunt for a state tournament berth with two games to go.
But Springdale High girls basketball coach Scotty Person isn’t one of them.
“They are very well coached, it’s obvious,” Person said. “Their kids are buying into what Kevin (Ramey) is trying to do. Based on what I saw, his kids were really into it mentally.”
Person got a look at Heritage’s progress firsthand when the Lady War Eagles handed his team a 45-43 defeat a week ago.
It was Heritage’s first road win in the 7A-West Conference in school history.
But now Heritage (6-19, 2-10 7A-West Conference) needs to win its final two games against Springdale Har-Ber and Bentonville, then get a little help from cross-town rival Rogers High to have a shot at a state tournament spot. Heritage is hosting the state tournament starting next Tuesday.
Two Heritage wins coupled with two Rogers wins over Har-Ber and Bentonville would put the Lady War Eagles in a three-way tie with Har-Ber and Bentonville for the final playoff spot.
Then tiebreakers would get involved.
Rogers Heritage coach Kevin Ramey just hopes it gets to that point.
It may sound like a tall order to win two in a row, but Ramey’s not buying it.
“Well we’ve won two and we hadn’t done that before,” Ramey said.
Ramey said he will explain the scenarios to his young team, but also point out if his players don’t perform against Har-Ber on Friday. Saturday’s game at Bentonville won’t matter nearly as much.
“If we don’t rebound and execute off ensively and defensively against Har-Ber then it’s not going to matter,” Ramey said.
But the Lady War Eagles, who are in their third season of existence, being in a playoff hunt can’t be dismissed either, Ramey said.
“It’s really important for us as a program, three years removed, with three sophomores ... one senior playing major minutes,” Ramey said. “It’s invaluable experience whether we win or lose. It’s something a year from on will be really, really important.
“It’s kind of a one-game playoff situation against Har-Ber and if we win that one, then we’ve got another one,” Ramey said.
Junior Julie Whitlow, who has started the last nine games, said the Lady War Eagles have come together late in the season and have the confi dence to win those two games.
“I know we started off a little timid, but we’ve gotten a lot closer as a team,” Whitlow said. “Winning gets us excited and helps us realize we can do it.
“You’ve just got to go out there and fight,” Whitlow said.
A trait that hasn’t always been there for the Lady WarEagles this season, Whitlow said. But Whitlow, who had a season-high 12 points on Saturday against Fort Smith Southside, has brought toughness and intensity to a young team, despite the fact she didn’t play basketball lastseason, Ramey said
“She’s been unbelievable since we inserted her in the starting lineup at Rogers,” Ramey said. “She doesn’t stop competing. I love the way she gets after it. Her and Brittany Ward are playing at as high a level as we’ve had all year. They have no quit.”
Despite trying to downplay the situation, Ramey acknowledged having something on the line in the fi nal two games of the season is important.
“Oh it’s exciting, no doubt,” Ramey said. “We’re in a position that the opportunity is still out there for us.”
Sports, Pages 9 on 02/24/2011