Basketball: Search ongoing for Wright's replacement

SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Har-Ber expects to have a new girls varsity basketball coach by the end of next week.

That's the projection by Springdale Public Schools Athletic Director Wayne Stehlik, who heads the search to find a replacement for former coach Sandy Wright. Wright resigned after 35 years as a head coach, including the last 10 at Har-Ber.

"It's a premier job," Stehlik said of the vacancy. "Sandy left a great foundation and the people know that."

Stehlik said between 15 and 20 coaches have filled out online applications for the job and a dozen more have called or made inquiries about the position. The next step is to narrow down the list and bring three finalists in for interviews with school officials, including Springdale Superintendent Dr. Jim Rollins.

Jaime Green, who spent last year as Wright's assistant, is likely a top candidate to take over as head coach at Har-Ber. Green played basketball for Wright at Springdale High, and she has head coaching experience at Labette (Kan.) Community College. Green played two years at Missouri Southern and was an assistant coach at the school after graduating in 2004.

Wright surpassed 500 career victories last season when Har-Ber finished 20-13 overall, including 8-8 in the 7A-West Conference. The Lady Wildcats return some good, young players, but they'll be without guard Jacie Higgins, who transferred to Conway.

Higgins, the first to play as a freshman at Har-Ber, averaged seven points as a junior for the Lady Wildcats. Maci Mains, Khanni Shannon, Savanna Collins and Annabel Weber are expected back after earning playing time last season as sophomores. Junior Karrington Whaley will return to lead the Lady Wildcats in the frontcourt.

"There's some good players there with the sophomores and juniors they had this year," Stehlik said. "So, the roster is in good shape."

Sports on 05/26/2016

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