SPRINGDALE — Heather Hunsucker can’t seem to go anywhere without hearing from a few of her players.
It’s not uncommon for the Springdale High girls basketball coach to find a handful of players waiting in the locker room when she arrives at her office at 7:30 a.m. to unlock it.
And Hunsucker still sees her players in Bulldog Gymnasium, even when they’re not required to be there. It’s gotten to the point where they ask her for permission to show up on the weekends, so they can keep working on their game.
“I can’t do anything to where they say, ‘That’s enough.’ I can’t get them out of the gym,” Hunsucker said. “They’re texting me on Sunday wanting to come in the gym to shoot extra.”
Hunsucker knew she had to change the culture surrounding Springdale’s program when she was hired as its coach in May 2011. It has taken some time as the Lady Bulldogs dealt with inexperience and too many turnovers in Hunsucker’s first year as coach.
But Hunsucker admitted she’s thrilled about the upcoming season, especially since her team has shown a willingness to work together and hustle on both ends of the court heading into Tuesday’s season opener against Shiloh Christian.
“They’re mature, hard-working, high character,” Hunsucker said. “The teamwork is at a whole other level, and their chemistry, this group, all of them get along.”
That chemistry will come in handy as the Lady Bulldogs adjust to a new style of play. They have changed from last year’s up-tempo approach to more of a halfcourt scheme, where they can focus on playing defense, avoiding turnovers and getting better shot selection.
Hunsucker said senior Brittany Jurgens and junior Baiyinnah Taylor will continue to run the offense from the point guard position. While Springdale will likely rely on balanced scoring to win games, center Karen Perez has shown in practice she could be a force in the paint.
Hunsucker said the junior has gotten into better shape, developed an outside shot and been relentless at grabbing rebounds. It’s given the coach another reason to get excited about her second season on Springdale’s bench.
“A matter of fact, I think probably Karen Perez is going to be a huge, huge shock to a lot of people how much better she is,” Hunsucker said. “I keep watching her going ‘This is not the same player.’”
Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs will rely on three newcomers — sophomores Javonda Daniels and Stephanie Long and Shiloh Christian transfer Taylor McPherson — to add depth to a team that will look different from a year ago.
Hunsucker went as far as to say not much will be recognizable this season.
“You’re going to see a stronger, leaner, fit basketball team,” Hunsucker said. “I mean this basketball team, without us getting out of line, they are in shape. They will be able to play the game.”
And have a hard time staying away from the gym.
Springdale High Girls Basketball Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Nov. 13 Shiloh Christian 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 20 at Russellville 4:45 p.m.
Nov. 26-Dec. 1 at Van Buren Tournament TBD
Dec. 6-Dec. 8 at Durant Lion Classic$ TBD
Dec. 11 at Fort Smith Northside 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 at Alma 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 26-29 at Neosho Tournament^ TBD
Jan. 4 Rogers High* 3:30 p.m.
Jan 8 at Rogers Heritage* 3:45 p.m.
Jan. 11 at Siloam Springs* 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 15 Springdale Har-Ber* 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 Fayetteville* 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 at Bentonville* 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 Van Buren* 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 at Rogers High* 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 Rogers Heritage* 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 Siloam Springs* 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 12 at Springdale Har-Ber* 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 at Fayetteville* 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 Bentonville* 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 22 at Van Buren* 3:30 p.m.
$ — Denotes in Durant, Okla.
^ — Denotes in Neosho, Mo.
- — Denotes 7A/6A-West Conference game