By Kim Break
The 2021-22 Highland Lady Rebels finished out the basketball season with an appearance in the “Elite 8” of 3-4A. This accomplishment was celebrated by the community and veteran coach, but new to Arkansas coaching, Cecil Meyer.
Meyer was asked about the season, which wrapped up on Sunday, March 6 following a close game with the Prairie Grove Lady Tigers. The Lady Tigers came out on top by just three points; 44-47.
Q: It’s the goal of nearly each team to advance to the championship, but what were your expectations coming into the season with this being your first year at Highland? Did the team exceed those expectations?
A: I always have high expectations but I knew nothing about teams in Arkansas but after we played Southside early in the year and had a chance to beat them, [it was] at that point I thought we could compete for a District Championship.
Q: Who were some contributing players throughout the season and in the final stretch? Did you have one or more player(s) step up and lead?
A: This group probably was a little ahead of the curve, winning a District, playing in a Regional final, and having a chance to make it to the Final 4. We had several kids step up all year long, Bailee Duhme and Emma Hyslip shouldered the load of scoring especially early in the year when Harlee was out with an injury. Emily Trivitt and Ryen Hale went through a stretch where they were getting 8-10 rebounds a game and Emily had some games of 20 points. Tressie seem to always hit a big shot when we needed it, Annabelle Burton would get some big rebounds in some big games. Harlee Deloach had a rough preseason with injuries and an ankle injury a couple different times, but when she was healthy she played a huge role in what we did.
Q: How many seniors are graduating from this group?
A: We had 5 seniors which doesn’t seem like a huge number but when you had 10 total on the team and just a couple freshman on the junior high team, numbers does become an issue.
Q: What was it like leading your alma mater for the first time in your coaching career, and having the community’s support?
A: To see the community support grow with the wins was awesome, especially since this is where I grew up and graduated from. From day one the message was getting back to having Rebel pride, I told them I did not want to hear about reviving it, I wanted them to do what it takes to make it happen, and they did.
Coach Meyer said this season was a great learning experience for the younger players. “This was huge for the future of our program, I hope these younger kids got a taste of it and realize what it takes to get there,” he said.
He has high expectations for the next season. Though his first year team set the bar high, he doesn’t expect the following group to shy away from the challenge. “I expect them to compete for a District title next year, and if they can do that it makes the path a lot better.”
Congratulations to the 2021-22 Highland Lady Rebels on a great season!
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