WWW arkcity.net

By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor
sports@arkcity.net

Arkansas City girls coach Bill Stinson has seen flashes of brilliance from his young team -- one that returned only one starter from last year's 12-win campaign -- over the course of the season.

A few of those moments occurred during their final three regular season games. The Bulldogs battled McPherson, No. 3 in Class 5A, to a halftime tie, took Newton to overtime last Tuesday after trailing by double digits in the first half, and led Valley Center by three points after one quarter in last Friday's regular season finale.

But in those three games -- all losses -- Ark City wasn't able to maintain its intensity the entire four quarters. Playing with a high level of intensity for the entire 32 minutes is something Stinson knows his team will have to do in order to defeat Kapaun Mt. Carmel in tonight's Class 5A sub-state opener.

"We need to have a good start and the big thing is trying to maintain that (intensity)," he said. "It's hard to keep your focus for 32 minutes. Some teams are able to do it, some aren't. We've struggled to maintain it for the full 32."

Natalie Stinson (15.8 points) has carried the load offensively for Ark City most of the season, while six-foot senior Natalie Benton (8.5) has provided a strong presence down low. The two seniors have accounted for 65 percent of Ark City's offense.

The Bulldogs come into tonight's contest averaging 37.2 points, and coach Stinson needs others to step their efforts if the Bulldogs are to advance past the first round.

"It would obviously be the very best if you can have five people that can score in double figures," Stinson said. "We don't set things up necessarily for Natalie (Stinson). Natalie is just one of our better offensive players. For us to win, everybody's got to contribute."

Kapaun, No. 10 in 5A, is led by versatile five-foot-11 senior Darice Fountaine (16.9 points, 10.6 rebounds). Andrea Lantz (9.1 points), Megan Cook (8.4) and Rachael Ely (8.0) provide a balanced supporting cast for the Lady Crusaders.

With Fountaine being Kapaun's tallest player, Stinson will place Benton on Fountaine and look to take advantage of that matchup.

Kapaun, No. 10 in 5A, took its share of bumps and bruises in the all-so tough City League portion of the schedule. The Lady Crusaders saw their share of success, defeating 5A's best Bishop Carroll in December and Wichita-Collegiate, No. 4 in Class 3A, twice. Four of Kapaun's seven losses have come to the hands of state-ranked opponents.

Ark City (4-16) enters tonight's game losers of nine straight, but it knows the slate has been wiped clean.

"We've worked and talked the last couple of days of how everybody's 0-0," Stinson said. "Everybody's got an equal chance of making it. We're not playing at home. We're playing away. You just never know. So, you've got to bring your best effort and maybe it will be our night."