Lady Dragons counting on balanced offensive attack

Harlan Lady Dragons
Team members include, from left, front row: Emma Owens, Peighton Jones, Aymanni Wynn, Angel Wynn, Alli Thompson, Kaylee Leslie, Faith Hoskins, Scarlett Rowe and Abbie Jones; back row: Carli Jo Kennedy, Kaylee Clark, Carly Madden, coach Amanda Vance, coach Tiffany Hamm, coach Chris Morgan, Annie Hoskins and Abbi Fields.

Harlan Lady Dragons Team members include, from left, front row: Emma Owens, Peighton Jones, Aymanni Wynn, Angel Wynn, Alli Thompson, Kaylee Leslie, Faith Hoskins, Scarlett Rowe and Abbie Jones; back row: Carli Jo Kennedy, Kaylee Clark, Carly Madden, coach Amanda Vance, coach Tiffany Hamm, coach Chris Morgan, Annie Hoskins and Abbi Fields.

By John Henson, Managing Editor

With a little over half of their scoring gone from a year ago, the Harlan Lady Dragons are counting on a more balanced approach on offense this season.
The Lady Dragons lost their two leading scorers from last season with forward Natalee King (13.2 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game) graduating and point guard Ella Karst (12.4, 3.6) transferring to Harlan County.
“Everybody can shoot the ball when they want to in our system. We just didn’t have the development we needed before, so if we needed a bucket last year we were going to Natalee or whatever,” Harlan coach Tiffany Hamm said. “I think we will definitely be more balanced and can go six, seven or eight deep.”
Harlan was off to a strong start last year with a 9-7 record at midseason before closing with 11 losses in their last 13 games to finish 11-18. The Lady Dragons were in just about every game, losing six games by single digits in the season’s final month. Foul problems played a huge role in the losses as the Lady Dragons’ aggressiveness on the defensive end paid off in turnovers but also led to too many fouls.
“We have to do a better job of playing defense without fouling,” Hamm said. “I think we have a few more bodies, so that will help us. We lost some games last year due to foul trouble and lack of depth. We are definitely deeper than we were last year. We have a few more kids who can get minutes. That will allow us to get up and down more and play the pressure defense we want to play. We have to improve our outside shooting and things like that, but we’ll try to attack people offensively and defensively.”
Angel Wynn (7.6 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game) is back for her senior season at a wing where she provides the Lady Dragons with a 3-point threat. She averaged just under two 3-pointers per game last season.
“She gives us an outside threat and is always where she is supposed to be on defense,” Hamm said. “This is her fourth year under me, so she knows how I like things done and does them that way. She does a good job with the other girls.”
Allí Thompson (2.7, 4.1), a 5-5 senior, is back at forward where she provides strong defense and hard work on the boards.
“Alli is very, very consistent and the best leader on the team,” Hamm said. “She leads by example with the younger players. She does everything the way you want it done,” Hamm said. “She has improved her jump shot, and we need her to score a little more.”
Aymanni Wynn (5.2, 6.1), a 5-9 freshman forward, had a breakout eighth-grade season in 2020 as she led the squad in rebounding and progressed into a threat on the offensive end.
“I think she is in for a big year,” Hamm said. “She was on our JV the first few games last year, but a couple of weeks in she was starting and never looked back. I think she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with in the 13th Region for several years. She will just get better and better.”
Emma Owens (4.3, 1.9), a 5-foot sophomore, will likely take over at point guard after playing a key reserve role last year.
“She is going to be super tough to keep out of the paint,” Hamm said. “She changes the game so much on the defensive end. She is quick and can create a lot of problems.”
Kaylee Leslie (1.3, 2.2), a 5-9 senior, could move into a starting role in the post.
“She can provide some leadership for us on the block,” Hamm said.
Peighton Jones (1.0, 1.8), a 5-7 sophomore forward, could also move into a starting job.
“She may be a little undersized for the post, but she can run and is strong,” Hamm said.
Faith Hoskins, a 5-5 freshman, will see action at wing.
“She is quick and aggressive and will see the floor,” Hamm said.
Abbi Fields, a 5-10 eighth-grader, and Carly Madden, a 5-9 freshman, will see action in the post.
Hamm considers defending champ Bell County as the early favorite in the 52nd District.
“I still feel Bell has the upper hand. They have a little more size. Their inside play is more established than the other three schools,” Hamm said. “I feel Bell is the favorite, but we are hoping to be in the mix.”

 

Harlan senior forward Alli Thompson, pictured in action last season, is one of three returning starters for the Lady Dragons. (Chris Jones)