With the new season underway, the Clarkrange Lady Buffaloes are settling into a fast-paced identity. Head Coach Lamar Rogers has built on ball pressure, quick guards, and a senior core determined to push the program back toward the postseason. At the center of that effort is senior shooting guard Sophie Sitton, whom head coach Lamar Rogers said continues to shape the way Clarkrange plays.
Sitton is one of four seniors guiding a roster that looks different from last year’s 22-12 squad, which came a game short of a state-tournament berth after a sectional loss to Van Buren. Even with the transition, Sitton said the group has already proven something to itself.
“[These games] have definitely shown us we can hang with the best of them,” Sitton said. “It gave us the confidence to know that we can go all the way this year so, just got to get in shape.”
While she typically plays shooting guard, Sitton said she shifts to point guard whenever Lydia Phillips is unavailable. Despite lacking size compared to previous teams, Sitton said the Buffaloes believe their strengths lie elsewhere.
“We’re faster than a lot of teams so we can press them a lot better and put the pressure on them that they’re not used to,” Sitton said.
Sitton said individually, her impact comes from the perimeter. Sitton said she embraces the responsibility of scoring from outside, which is a necessity given her physical profile and the team’s style.
“I’m not the tallest, so I can’t really attack inside as much,” Sitton said. “So if I can’t shoot, I’ve got to be able to knock them down to score.”
Sitton said Clarkrange’s focus this season is maintaining conditioning and cohesion, two areas already being strengthened through the first month of the season. Clarkrange has started this season 5-4.
