NHS GIRLS PREPARE FOR UPCOMING SEASON WITH BENEFIT AGAINST HOWE

Among the things Northside coach Rickey Smith likes about his squad entering a new season, balance and depth are right up there. That was on display Tuesday in the Lady Bears’ benefit game played at Kaundart-Grizzly Fieldhouse. Northside outscored Howe in all four quarters to post an 81-54 win. However, the game will not count on both teams’ records. In fact, the score was reset to 0-0 at the end of each quarter. “I thought our balance was very good,” Smith said. “We didn’t shoot it real well early, but Tracey (Bershers) did. ... We’ve got Deairah Mays, and I thought defensively she was very active; I thought she did a really good job guarding Jalei (Oglesby, Howe’s senior guard and exceptional scorer) and Jazz Coleman is improved.” But Smith is really going to be counting on his core of returning starters, which includes senior Sara Bershers and sophomores Tracey Bershers and Jersey Wolfenbarger, who were part of Northside’s run to the 7A semifinals last season. “They’re fun to watch, they know the game, they pass the ball. ... I’m just really excited,” Smith said. “I think if we can continue to improve and stay healthy, we have the depth we haven’t had in a few years and I really, really like the nucleus of this team.” Those three players also hit double figures in Tuesday’s benefit game. Sara Bershers scored 15 points, Wolfenbarger added 14 and Tracey Bershers 13, and the three combined to hit seven 3-pointers. Tracey Bershers had all 13 of her points in the first quarter as Northside outscored Howe, 22-15. Sara Bershers hit a 3 with time running out in the second quarter, as the Lady Bears held a 15-11 edge for an aggregate halftime lead of 37-26. Smith said he had hoped to make Tuesday’s game a regular one but just added an extra game to the schedule. “We just picked a game up Saturday against Little Rock Mills (which will be played in North Little Rock), and had we not picked that game up Saturday, I would have made (Tuesday) a regular game, so this will not count on our record,” Smith said. “I really respect and appreciate (Howe) coach (Chris) Brown willing to come play us and wanting to come play us.” The Lady Lions (1-0) started their season on Nov. 2 with an 83-28 win against Wister. “It’s a pretty good mix of older kids and younger kids. ... We’ve been working hard and we’re integrating the younger kids with the older kids and finding a little bit of team chemistry is good,” Brown said. “It was good for us to come out there and play it, and essentially it was a good deal for both teams. I hope it was good for them; they are so well-coached and talented, and they’ve got a good shot at doing whatever they want to do.” Oglesby led all scorers with 17 points, including making three 3's in the second quarter. Junior Sydnie Womack had 14 points and four 3's as well. Smith also announced following the game that the Lady Bears have recently signed a three-year deal with Nike, which will provide the team with uniforms and other apparel. Northside is one of 20 schools in the United States which Nike sponsors.

NHS GIRLS PREPARE FOR UPCOMING SEASON WITH BENEFIT AGAINST HOWE

BUCK RINGGOLD

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 11/14/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Jamie Mitchell