GRAVETTE -- Gravette failed to win a conference game two years ago, but the season did end with some promise.
That's when the Lady Lions introduced freshman Tori Foster, who made her first varsity start against Lincoln in the district tournament at Shiloh Christian. Gravette won easily after losing badly to the Lady Wolves during the regular season.
Since then, Foster has taken over at the point guard position and in two years has helped transform Gravette into a team that's won 12 of its past 14 games. The Lady Lions (19-8) could be a top contender at the 4A-1 District Tournament in Berryville next week after they finish the regular season at home against Greenland on Friday.
The matchup with Class 3A power Greenland will serve as a prelude for the talented teams Gravette will face in postseason play.
"I can't wait to get started for the tournament," Foster said. "As long as we keep our heads together and keep playing like we have, I'm confident we're going to do well."
Foster is different from most point guards at the high school girls' level in that she's tall and left-handed. But the 5-foot-8 junior does everything a coach wants with her ability to score and distribute the basketball, and she does so with a temperament that is even keel.
"Most of our girls are like that, but Tori is definitely our leader on the court," Gravette coach Will Pittman said. "She's solid. You know what you're going to get out of Tori every night."
Foster averages 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for the Lady Lions. She's also accurate from the free-throw line (78 percent) and has scored in double figures in 16 games, including a season-high 25 points against Pea Ridge.
"Tori is a talented kid who's really come into her own the last couple of years," Pea Ridge coach Heath Neal said. "She does a great job of leading that team from the front and that's what you want in a point guard."
Foster is one of eight juniors on a Gravette team with nine girls listed as 5-foot-8 or better, including freshman forward Cally Kildow, who scored 13 points in a 60-49 victory over Gentry last week. Krystin Branscum and Foster each scored 17 points and Kildow 13 in a 60-49 victory over Haas Hall earlier last week.
"We've been bigger in the post, but we've got more guards and they're all long," Pittman said. "They're athletic and do a good job of getting out in the passing lanes."
Gravette's transformation from a losing to a winning team should send a signal to players about commitment and perseverance. Foster and her teammates withstood the tough times and now appear ready to make a postseason run, if not this year, then next season when they'll be a senior-dominated ball club.
"Sometimes, you have to go through tough times to get the glory," Foster said. "I grew up in Gravette and never once thought of just giving up or quitting. I love the game too much."
At A Glance
Tori Foster
SCHOOL Gravette
CLASS Junior
POSITION Point guard
HEIGHT 5-8
NOTABLE Junior point guard who made her first varsity start as a freshman. ... Averages 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. ... Also plays volleyball for the Lady Lions. ... Scored season-high 25 points in win over Pea Ridge. ... Enjoys driving her new car from Gravette to Fayetteville.
Sports on 02/15/2017