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Sims Named Defensive Player Of The Year

The El Dorado girls basketball program had lots of ups and downs this season. While Coach Brad Slatton was never sure from game-to-game if the Lady Cats would shoot, pass or catch the ball well, there was one constant he could count on.

As long as Falundrus Sims was on the floor, El Dorado would own the paint. That was especially true on the defensive end as Sims staked out her area around the basket and posted a no trespassing sign to opposing teams.

With her shot blocking and rebounding ability, Sims was a human eraser for the Lady Cats and is the News-Times Defensive Player of the Year.

The 6-2 senior set a new team record with 110 blocked shots on the season. She blocked at least one shot in 25 of the 26 games, including two games with 11 rejections. Sims averaged 4.2 blocks per game, a number that would be even higher if opposing players weren’t afraid to challenge her.

"Six-foot-two is hard to shoot over and she's so strong," said Sheridan coach Rick Treadway. "She's hard to get around and it seemed like her arms went all the way across the court."

El Dorado tried to play a fullcourt, pressing style of defense. The Lady Cats could afford to get into the passing lanes because even if they got burned, Sims had their back.

"We were not an overly quick team and that caused us to gamble some to play the type of defense I like to play," said Slatton. "What a luxury to have somebody back there who can erase a mistake. Not too many people attacked her."
As impressive as her shot blocking ability was, Sims didn’t stop playing defense until she got the ball. She averaged 12.1 rebounds per game, including 7.8 defensive boards. She had double-digit rebounds in 20 of the 26 games with nine boards in three of the other games.

A late bloomer on the offensive end, Sims’ defensive ability is natural. That’s what has Division I colleges like Alcorn State, Grambling and UALR contacting her about her services.

I think she's the best defensive center in the state, bar none, and probably the best rebounding big person in the state, too," said Slatton.