1 t ' I ' I ·:·,-...__~_.....-Victory highlights senior, junior seasons J --L-~~--~~--~~--~- ·~ I rAr pproaching the 1985-86 s~a.son with high hopes and antlclpation, the senior high Lady Wildcats hoped to make history by winning their first regular season game. Because of the lack of experience of playing as a team, the club had not been able to previously chalk up a victory. However, after working together for two years, experience paid off and the victories carne through. The season started on January 3 with a confrontation with Vilonia. Although the girls did not pull off a victory, the experience of playing together as a team had begun. The next three games were defeats for the team, but on January 17, spirits were high . The game that night was to be against Central Arkansas Christian, another young team who also happened to be the Wildcats chief rivals. Throughout the game the lead see-sawed back and forth, but at the end of the game the Lady Wildcats were on the short end of the score. Preparation for the next C.A.C. game began the next day, with Jump for Joy. Joy Wilson , a fres hman from Searcy "puts the icing on the cake " in the junior girls ' strong v ictoryover Pulaski A cademy . This v ictory enabled the Junior Lady Wildcats to be seeded first in th e district competition and eventually capture the title of distric t champion . - photo by Eel Wilson. 330 Girl's Basketball other victories sighted between the two matches. Pulaski Academy, De Vall's Bluff, Griffithville, Hazen, and Des Arc were all challenged by the Lady Wildcat's perseverance. Although none of the games solidified into that first victory, each day it carne closer and finally, the dream became a reality. On February 13, once again hopes soared and expectations surfaced. The opponent was again to be the C.A.C. Mustangs, and once again the probability of a victory was great. Excitement ruled the air, and attendance at the game was higher than usual. Defensive play was the major factor of the game, and at the end of the game, the Harding Academy Senior High Lady Wildcats had pulled off their first ever victory with a score of 18-9. "I was so excited to be a part of the first win for the Lady Wildcats basketball program," said junior Christy Howard. The excitement was shared by the student body, and needed confidence was instilled . in the players, for the district tournament was right around the corner. Beforehand , Pulaski Academy and Kensett served two defeats to the team. On February 24, the district brackets were drawn up and C.A.C. was to be the opponent for the Academy. Once again, the lead swayed back and forth, and once again the Lady Cats carne out on top, this time with a score of 34-21. Although they were eliminated in the second round of the tournament, several honors were bestowed upon the team. Howard was selected to be a part of the all-county and all-district teams and senior Karen Norwood was awarded the scholarship trophy at the county tournament. The junior high team also fared well in the 1985-86 season. For the second year, they walked off the courts at the district tournament with a first place title. "We improved a lot over the past year, but the most important factor was that we learned to work together," commented freshman Alicia Fowler while presenting the trophy to Bill Diles, principal of the Academy .Jttt Senior High Girl's Basketball Team. Front row: Flippin , Carter, Nonvood , Carter, Howton; back row: Vaughn , Olree, Ryan , Grunw ald, Howard , Johnson , Hough , Conley , Rhodes -coach. - photo by John Radcliffe. Junior High Girl's Basketball Team. Front row: Barnes , Roberson , Ellis , Carter , Sandlin , Wood ; second row: Dawson , Peacock , Mackey , Nichols , Johnson , Henderson; back row : Rhodes - coach, House , Smith , Fow ler, Hinds , Green , Carter, Wilson , Barnes. - photo courtesy of Ed Wilson.
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