After six straight winning seasons, the Pineville Lady Lions fell to 8-19 in 2022 after heavy graduation losses. It didn’t take long for the Lady Lions to bounce back in Elgie Green’s second year at the helm, improving to 22-9 in 2023 while pushing Knox Central to the limit in the 51st District Tournament finals before falling 50-46.
With four starters back this season, the Lady Lions have even loftier goals for 2024.
“This group of girls has worked extremely hard since Oct. 15. We are much more mature and experienced than we were a year ago,” Green said. “Team chemistry seems to be really good going into the last couple of weeks of practice before the season opens. We are still focusing mainly on fundamentals and conditioning. We will not be nowhere close to where we need to be offensively the first week of the season, but our defense should be OK. Our top five players will have to stay healthy and we will have to have our sixth through eighth players know their roles and be able to contribute.”
A big reason behind the quick turnaround can be attributed to the addition of senior point guard Nadine Johnson (21.1 points per game last season, 8.7 rebounds per game), who made an immediate impact after transferring from Bell County. Johnson is one of the region’s top players with her abilities to handle the ball, penetrate and defend.
“Nadine is one of the hardest working players I have coached,” Green said. “She gives 100 percent effort every second in practice and in a game. She sets the tempo for our team. She has improved her shooting range in the offseason by putting countless hours in the gym shooting. She will be exciting to watch this season.”
Ava Arnett (12.4, 4.8), an athletic 5-9 junior, provided another consistent scoring threat for the Lady Lions.
“Ava Arnett play all positions for us. She is very long and athletic. She is a knock down 3-point shooter and has been working on her post game. She will be a hard matchup for teams offensively,” Green said.
Kamryn Biliter (2.7, 2.7), a 5-9 junior, plays the other wing.
“Kamryn will play the ‘3’ and ‘4’position for us. She has great range shooting the ball and has been working on her post game,” Green said. “She is a very smart player and does a great job of talking on the floor.”
Rachel Howard (8.6, 6.3), a 5-9 sophomore, returns in the post.
“Rachel probably has the best left-handed hook shot I’ve seen from a female basketball player. She has been working on counter moves in the post to be a more complete scorer,” Green said. “If I could get her to turn up her intensity, she could dominate down low.”
Malley Smith (3.6), a sophomore guard, moves from sixth man to starter.
“Malley will be joining the starting lineup this season at the ‘2’ guard and backup point guard. Malley is also a 3-point threat. I’m looking for her to take a larger role scoring this season,” Green said.
Sophomore guard Mackenzie Caldwell will provide depth, along with eighth grader Madison Johnson.
“Mackenzie will play a lot of minute’s this year at the guard position. She is smart hard working player that will get on the floor after a loose ball. She is a true blue-collar player,” Green said. “Madison is our most improved player. She has worked extremely hard at improving her shot in the off season. She will give us good minutes at the post and guard position. She is not afraid to play with the big girls.”
Green has done what he could to prepare his team for a deep postseason run as well as challenging defending champ Jackson County for the 13th Region All “A” Classic title.
“Our schedule this year is going to be stronger than it has the last couple of years,” he said. “I tell my players, everybody wants to eat, but not everybody wants to hunt. We are going to have to step on the floor this season and go hunt. The talent is there, but do all five on the floor want to hunt?
“If we do, we have a chance to win the Class “A” Region, 51st district. and compete in the 13th Region Tournament.”