By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
EL DORADO - If Strong’s girls were matched up against Emerson in a best-of-3 series, they would be in big trouble. The Lady Pirates own two victories over the Lady Bulldogs this season.
But, today’s third match-up between the two squads is the only one that matters.
Strong travels to Emerson today for the 1A 5 Regional Tournament, beginning at 7 p.m. The winner earns a berth to next week’s 1A State Tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs claimed the regular season conference championship but fell in the semifinals of the district tournament and settled for a No. 3 seed in the regional. Still, Coach Jason Porter’s team is one game away from where it wants to be.
“This is exactly where I envisioned this team to be when the season started,” said Porter. “We finished first in the conference in regular season but stumbled in the tournament. All we have to do is win one game to get into the state tournament. That was our main goal at the start of the season and now we are one game away from that.”
The Lady Bulldogs lost to Emerson 50-43 on Nov. 18 in Strong and then dropped a 31-28 decision to the Lady Pirates on Dec. 28 in a tournament in Hampton.
“I think the old adage in sports is that it's hard to beat a team three times in a row,” said Porter. “I think it's a big advantage. In the games we played them they beat us three and eight points. We missed 16 and 15 free throws in those games. I have eight game films on them and we feel like we are prepared for everything they do. The girls have put in a really good week of prep.”
Freshman Dynasty Davis moved up to senior high and led the team in scoring in the district tournament. Ladasia Williams provides strength on the interior to go with a host of athletic slashers, including Kiki Shelton.
Hampton hurt Strong last week with 3-point shooting in its semifinal upset. Defending the perimeter will be one of the keys against the Lady Pirates.
“I think the keys to beating them will be, one, keeping there two good shooters covered up,” began Porter.
“Two, we have to make our free throws. We have shot double the free throws of most teams we play because of our athleticism. It's gonna come down to whether we can make them or not.
“And three, I feel like our pressure can hurt them so we have to get some turnovers and easy baskets off the press.”