By Chris Parker
Conway girls basketball has a new head coach in Matt Wilson this year. He inherits a program that won nine games last year and must replace its two leading scorers and all-conference selections.
This is Wilson’s first time as a head coach.
“It’s exciting to be a first-time head coach,” Wilson said. “I learned a lot from Lynn Long last year and I am honored to be in this position. We have some great girls. I look forward to them being the start of building a great program at CHS.”
Wilson returns five players who saw action in action in at least 20 games last year.
The head of the group are seniors Breanna Thompson, Gibby Beckler and Gracie Vestal.
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Wilson on Thompson: “great defender, passer, and rebounder – vocal leader”
Wilson on Beckler: “great rebounder, strong inside presence – contagious, fun personality”
Wilson on Vestal: “great defender, hard worker, unselfish- good encourager”
Thompson led that group with 7.6 points per game. She also pulled down 9.1 rebounds with 2.9 assists per game. Beckler was just behind her in scoring at 6.3 ppg. She led the team in rebounding just ahead of Thompson at 9.3 rebounds per game. Vestal scored 3.8 ppg.
Junior Lauren Wissbaum and sophomore Quinncy Vestal are two more returning players for Conway.
Wilson on Wissbaum: “Lauren has a knack for blocking/altering shots and is a smart player.”
Wilson on Vestal: “Quinncy is a great defender and is a good shooter. She loves to play and will do all she can to compete.”
Defense will be this team’s calling card.
“We will be a strong defending team. We will have good athleticism and height,” Wilson said. “I want other teams to hate to have to play against our defense. We don’t want to give up an inch of ground on the floor.”
Conway opens the regular season on Nov. 21 at Cabool.
