An awesome season leads the Lady Bisons on the road to nationals Basketball has long been one of America's great pastimes. Whether as a carefree leisure activity in a game of one-on-one with a buddy on Saturday afternoons or a nail-biting, buzzerbeater in the local gymnasium, basketball has attracted both participants and spectators. Participants who compete as successfully as the Lady Bisons did draw crowds of spectators. This was a year of "firsts" for the Lady Bisons. The Lady Bisons went to nationals for the first time in Harding history. The Lady Bisons left for the Christmas holidays with a 14-2 record and ended with a 24-5 record - their best record ever. "We started the season with two goals - to win 20 games and to make it to nationals," Coach Greg Harnden said. The team has never won more than 22 games in a season, and junior Angie Fouts was excited at the team's success. "When we were 14-2, we thought that was big. But 24 wins is a huge accomplishment," she said. Fouts, a second-teamAll American in 1995, led the Lady Bisons in keeping the team focused. Sophomore Mandy Cox praised Fouts's leadership. "Angie will take a charge when the game is close. She has confidence and determination that helps lead the team," she said. Fouts received first team All American honors and the Player of the Year award for the Southwest Region. "At the start of the season, I would have never guessed it would end like this," Fouts said. "You never start a season striving for any individual success. You are always focused on the team and work on success as a team." Women's Basketball. First Row: Emily Prysock, Sara Allen, Angie Fouts, Stephanie Barron, Larina Whitehorse, Mandy Cox. SecondRow: Coach Greg Hamden, Camie lewis, Mindy Murphy, Bridget Benson, Emily Roeh, MollyMcPherson, Karie Fouts, Shelli Clark, Glenna Wright. Photo by Jeff Montgomery. Fouts and junior Bridget Benson also stood out in the statistical columns, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. "Angie and Bridget can get the job done in clutch situations," Harnden said. The job of encourager was held by senior Mindy Murphy, who showed her athletic ability on the court and her friendship and support off the court. "Mindy is really a great encourager for those girls that don't get to play that much. When they do get to play, she really compliments them," Stephanie Barron said. Freshmen Emily Prysock and Molly McPherson stepped in to fill starting positions in the lineup, adding depth in support of the upperclassmen. Prysock took over the point guard position vacated by freshman SaraAllen, who withdrew from school at the end of the fall semester. McPherson came off the bench to relieve Fouts as needed. "Both of these girls are playing starting positions," Harnden said. Losing in the first round of nationals was disappointing, but the team is optimistic about next year's possibilities. Playing an independent schedule as a new member in the Lone Star Conference, the Lady Bisons adapted to many changes and played well against some new opponents. Harnden expressed confidence in the team's ability to succeed in the new conference. "We will be able to continue our success ifwe maintain our level of play," he said. "We beat teams that have beaten teams in the Lone Star Conference, so we know that we can compete with them." - Heather Allison
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