Lady Cat News   Lady Wildcats Wrap Up Successful Offseason; Look Forward To 2000-2001 Basketball Campaign         (Coach Brad Slatton and his Lady Wildcats spent the summer on the court and in the classroom trying to get better.)

If you can’t stand the heat, don’t go out for the girls basketball team at El Dorado. The Lady Wildcats hope a blistering summer of working out and playing in sweltering gymnasiums will lead to a red-hot season this winter as they take aim at the state playoffs.

El Dorado participated in the Arkansas Tech University Team Camp last week at Russellville, finishing among the top eight in the 56-team competition. Earlier in the summer, the Lady Cats competed at the Ouachita Baptist University Team Camp in Arkadelphia.

“I was pleased with the whole summer,” said Coach Brad Slatton. “The kids got to play almost a whole other season. There was a lot of learning going on this summer. I think we’re a lot better than we were.”

In the two camps, El Dorado posted a 19-9 record against some of the better teams in the state. The Lady Cats went 10-6 last week with wins over five teams that played in last year’s state tournament.

“We had a good summer,” said Slatton. “We had 11 practices and had a pretty good turnout from most people. Some people obviously are more dedicated than others and that will work itself out. We had the gym open for lifting weights and 10 or 11 of them did it pretty religiously.”

In addition to the two team camps, the practices and weight room workouts, Slatton pointed out the efforts of Falundrus Sims, Sarah Sullivan and Kristian Tester. Sims and Tester participated in the University of Arkansas Elite Camp and Sullivan competed at the Hoopsmart USA Classic in Hawaii. In addition, El Dorado hosted the Lady Wildcat Camp. Several players worked the weeklong camp.

It was a pretty hectic schedule for Slatton, who went through his first full summer as the leader of the El Dorado girls basketball program.

“It was a good springboard for us coming into the season,” said Slatton. “It will make the kids want to get back in the gym. They were excited about their showing (at Arkansas Tech). They were tired but they were glad they got to go. I told them I would give them a week or two off to start the year but I think they’ll want to get back in there.

“I’m excited about it. I’m as excited about it as I’ve ever been. I’m anxious to get back in there with them.”

The El Dorado Basketball Booster Club played a big part in the team’s successful summer.

“We appreciate the booster club for affording these kids the opportunity to go to the team camp,” said Slatton. “I think people would be proud of how our kids represented them both on and off the court. I would take these kids anywhere and feel good about it.”