Basketball: Undersized Scudder coming up big for Heritage

ROGERS -- Dehring Scudder understands she's going to be outsized every night in the 7A-West Conference, but the Rogers Heritage junior hasn't let that slow her down.

"It's all mental for me," she said. "Yes, they are bigger than me. They are gonna push me, but I'm gonna push back."

Profile

Dehring Scudder

School:Rogers Heritage

Height: 5-7

Class: Junior

Notable: Averaging three points per game, but that number has doubled in 7A-West Conference play. … Scored a career-high 14 points to help the Lady War Eagles notch a big conference win at Fort Smith Southside. … Has started 13 games, including all 10 conference games.

Scudder (5-foot-7) has gone from reserve to starter and been a big reason why the Lady War Eagles are still fighting for a state tournament spot, Heritage coach Kevin Ramey said.

"Bless her heart, she's out-sized whether it be height, weight or strength every singe night," Ramey said. "But she fights like crazy so her team can have success. She's really one of our unsung heroes in the fact that she might not score 10 points a night, but she's fighting to keep their inside players from having a big night and that's as important.

"Early in the year, she was a utility player for us. We could put her in different spots, so we brought her off the bench. The thing I love about her is she's 100 percent bought in. She gives you everything she can, going as hard as she can."

Heritage (9-14, 2-8 7A-West) is scheduled to host Fort Smith Southside (9-14, 3-7) tonight in a huge game for the Lady War Eagles, who are tied with Springdale High and Rogers High in the conference and clinging to state tournament hopes.

Scudder scored a career-high 14 points to help Heritage notch a big win earlier at Southside. She moved into the starting lineup before Christmas and has become a steady contributor, according to Ramey.

Ramey said Scudder has stepped forward after senior Raquel Moore quit the team in December. She's started every conference game and doubled her scoring average.

"When we got to January she didn't have to look over her shoulder anymore," Ramey said. "When we went from a four-player rotation to a three-player rotation, it gave her more minutes. Her maturation has been tremendous. When they go from a sophomore to a junior we just expect they are more mature. But it's been night and day for her.

"She played limited minutes a year ago, but now we can play her 25 straight if we have to."

Scudder may play center, but she has worked hard on her jump shot and it's worked out well for her and the Lady War Eagles.

"I've worked hard in the offseason on my shot and my teammates stay after practice with me," Scudder said. "I've been scoring pretty well. I feel like I'm playing pretty well. It's been a big confidence booster going into my senior year for sure."

Ramey said Scudder will be big for the Lady War Eagles both on and off the court as a senior.

"She has a tremendous relationship with her teammates," Ramey said. "She spends time with our freshmen and works out with them. We'll count on her tremendously as a voice. She understands leadership is about people. Every team has a glue guy and keeps your team together. She's that type of player for us."

Paul Boyd can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAPaulb

Sports on 02/17/2015

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