MILLER READY FOR NEW ROLE FOR LADY BEARCATS

At 5’ 11” and patrolling the paint Carah Miller is kind of used to being an obstacle for opponents.

Adjusting from a sixth player role into a starting job, Miller hopes to be an even bigger obstacle this season.

But first she’s had her own obstacles. She was addressing a medical issue today, and is having to adjust to being in the attention spotlight.

Miller and Leigh Swint were taken to a media days photo opportunity in Fort Smith last week.

“It was fun,” Miller said. “They asked us a couple of questions and that was kind of it.”

Miller’s goals for the 2022-2023 season start with rebounds.

“I want to be the best rebounder and best role player,” Miller said on the eve of the season opener. “I will try to be better than other girls but still be a good teammate and a leader.”

Miller pulled down 2.5 rebounds per game in a reserve role last year. She had a season high seven boards against Greenland in a regional tournament game.

She can also put the ball back up for points when those rebounds are on the offensive end.

Pressed into a starting role out the gate last year Miller scored 10 points in a start in last season’s opener against Mansfield. She also scored 10 against Waldron in a conference game, before posting a high of 11 in the Greenland game.

Head coach Tim Goers said Miller has continued to progress heading into this season.

“She has developed into an inside-outside threat on offense and has the ability to guard any position on defense," said Goers.

Miller is one of four seniors back after a historic 29-2 season which included wins in their first 27 games.

She confirms last season has created high expectations for this season from both inside and outside the locker room.

From the inside, along with Swint, Miller was voted a team captain Goers said.

“She has a positive attitude every day and truly cares about the success of her teammates,” Goers said. “She runs like a deer and will beat most girls her size down the court. Carah is much improved and we expect great things.”

As far as the 2022-2023 schedule goes, Miller is excited about a couple of games in particular. On November 17 the Lady Bearcats will be in Lamar, who bounced the Lady Bearcats from the Class 3A state tournament in the quarterfinal round last year.

The other is much further down the docket.

“Senior night against Danville. I’m very excited for that one,” said Miller.

Beside her and Swint, the roster has two other seniors in Karmen Kent and Layla Byrum. Miller said she is pretty close to her classmates, having played with them since eighth grade and been friends with since elementary school.

The final season for the four starts with Western Yell County in town Tuesday night. The Lady Wolverines are 4-1 on the season after a 40-point win over Oark on Thursday.