ROGERS -- The Rogers Heritage Lady War Eagles return three starters and two of those players will likely continue their basketball career at the college level.
But it's the other two spots that hold the key to the team's fortunes this season, Lady War Eagles coach Kevin Ramey said.
2014 Rogers Heritage
Girls Basketball Schedule
Rogers Heritage Lady War Eagles
Date^Opponent^Time
Nov. 11^Gentry (benefit)^6 p.m.
Nov. 21^Russellville^6 p.m.
Nov. 24^Bryant^6 p.m.
Nov. 25^at Shiloh Christian^6 p.m.
Dec. 4-6^at Great 8 Classic (Rogers High)^TBD
Dec. 11-13^at Tahlequah Invitational^TBD
Dec. 19^at Siloam Springs^6 p.m.
Dec. 29-31^at Sapulpa Holiday Classic^TBD
Jan. 9^at Springdale High*^6 p.m.
Jan. 13^Rogers*^6 p.m.
Jan. 16^at Fort Smith Northside*^6 p.m.
Jan. 20^at Fort Smith Southside*^6 p.m.
Jan. 23^Fayetteville*^6 p.m.
Jan. 27^Bentonville^6 p.m.
Jan. 30^at Springdale Har-Ber*^6 p.m.
Feb. 6^Springdale High*^6 p.m.
Feb. 10^at Rogers High*^ p.m.
Feb. 13^Fort Smith Northside*^6 p.m.
Feb. 17^Fort Smith Southside*^6 p.m.
Feb. 20^at Fayetteville*^6 p.m.
Feb. 24^at Bentonville*^6 p.m.
Feb. 27^Springdale Har-Ber*^6 p.m.
* — 7A-West Conference game
The quartet of Raquel Moore, Shelby Thompson, Dehring Scudder and Hailey Tiles will likely share time at the power forward and center positions. They have only four varsity starts combined and lack size, but Ramey likes their attitude and intensity.
"We have a senior, two juniors and a sophomore in the post and even our senior wasn't here half the year last year," Ramey said. "But even as inexperienced as we are, I believe we're better inside.
"They are going to need games to grow, but we feel comfortable playing any of the four right now. The thing we can't simulate defending a 6-1 post player in practice because we don't have one.
"We didn't score the ball around the basket well at all last year. If we're going to be any good at all we've got to get points from inside the paint and get to the foul line."
Moore, a 5-9 senior, has the most experience. She played in eight games last year and started three before moving away at semester. Tiles, a 5-9 junior, moved from Bentonville, while the 5-6 Scudder played limited minutes last year and the 5-9 Thompson is a sophomore.
While Ramey believes the post players will develop, he also admits the trio of Emilie Jobst, Sara Giesen and Emily Seiler will need to assume key leadership roles.
"Early in the year, when we're figuring out some things at the four and five spots, those three have to control our team," Ramey said. "They have to do a good job leading our team and communicating. But I think Emilie's and Sara's confidence is through the roof and they are poised to have great senior seasons."
He also said they are more than up to the task.
Jobst, who earned all-state honors as a junior, signed a letter of intent to play next year at NCAA Division II power Central Missouri last week. Giesen is still mulling multiple opportunities to play at the NCAA Division III level.
Seiler enjoyed a good sophomore campaign averaging six points, three assists and 1.6 steals per game in 23 starts. She suffered a torn meniscus in her knee while playing in a club soccer tournament in June and had it surgically repaired. However, she was medically cleared less than a month ago and looks strong, Ramey said.
Jobst and Giesen agree this year's team is a closer-knit group.
"We've got a lot of new players, but I think we're 10 steps ahead of where we were last season," Jobst said.
"Everyone's excited," Giesen added. "There's so much energy in the gym every day in practice. We have much better chemistry I think."
The two agree the team will need to overcome a size disadvantage most nights. A question about how often rebounding is discussed in practice drew a laugh from both.
"Yes, we've all five got to crash the boards," Giesen said.
Sports on 11/17/2014