El Dorado’s varsity girls lost 2-of-3 games last week, including the 5A South opener against White Hall (72-46) on Tuesday. The Lady Wildcats will jump head first into the conference pool this week with road games at Benton and Pine Bluff.
The conference road is long but El Dorado (3-9, 0-1) can’t afford to fall too far behind at the start.
“It would be ideal to get out of next week with a conference win,” said El Dorado coach Makara Frazier. “It very likely could happen. Like I said, whenever we show up ready to play we’re good. It’s just about putting four quarters together.”
The Lady Wildcats played well in a 57-45 non-conference loss to Camden Fairview on Thursday. El Dorado pounded Crossett 72-49 on Friday.
This week’s opponents have struggled out of the gate. Tuesday’s opponent, Benton is 4-5 on the season. The Lady Panthers have lost two in a row and 5-of-6.
“They’re going to be really disciplined. Whatever the game plan is, they’re going to execute. They're a very fundamental, very smart team. We just have to show up and compete,” said Frazier, who was asked about Benton’s home court advantage.
“It’s tough to win everywhere we go.”
Pine Bluff will enter the week with an 0-7 record.
Frazier said the Lady Wildcats need to look in the mirror as much as they look at film of their opponents.
“Honestly, we have to come out ready to play and get them focused,” said Frazier. “We can do that. Moving forward, we kind of know where we can improve and where we can do better.”
On the boys' side, Benton has opened the season with an 8-1 record, including a 50-49 win over Springdale last week. The Panthers' lone loss was to Little Rock Central 61-56.
Pine Bluff entered this week with a 1-5 overall record, including a 61-56 loss to Little Rock Hall in its last outing.
The Wildcats lost to White Hall 64-44 on Tuesday and dropped a heartbreaker in overtime to Camden Fairview 71-60.
The games at Benton start at 5.