The Lady Spartans of Prairie View Academy rolled through district 3AA competition this season compiling a perfect 8-0 mark and the district 3AA championship. While winning district is an accomplishment Prairie View has their sights set on a successful south state tournament to build momentum heading into the state tournament at Brookhaven the following week. PVA was south state runners-up last season and finished fourth at state. The #1 seed from district 3AA will have several days to rest and prepare for whoever their first opponent will be. The Lady Spartans have earned a first round bye.
With a starting five that usually consists of two seniors and three juniors Prairie View, under the guidance of head coach Dave Farrell, produced an impressive 31-4 overall record. Among that starting five is arguably one of the most complete players in the MPSA. Caroline Oliphant is in her junior season but to most it seems as though she has been playing forever. The point guard has been a fixture on the varsity squad since the eight grade. Complimenting Oliphant are post players Catherine Coats and Logan Tubbs and junior guard Lena Kate Thompson.
Prairie View has a good mixture of size in the post position and quickness at the guard spot. The players understand their roles and look to Oliphant as the fuel that runs the engine. While much praise has been heaped upon Oliphant, and deservingly so, Catherine Coats and Logan Tubbs work the blocks with canny prescision. If Oliphant penetrates an opening in the defense and gets inside the free throw line Coats or Tubbs mop up on baskets as the defense collapses. The Lady Spartans can score in bunches, and are known for quick starts and while Oliphant sets the table on offense PVA gets balanced scoring. One weakness that PVA cannot afford to carry into next week’s tournament is getting into early foul trouble as was the case when they visited Brookhaven.
I see Prairie View getting another shot at Brookhaven come next Friday in Gallman. Could be one of those classic tournament match ups.
See ya somewhere………………...
