Wallace State women's basketball returned to a prominent and familiar spot during the 2010-11 season, winning the program's sixth ACCC/Region 22 state championship and appearing at the NJCAA tournament for the fourth time.
As the Lady Lions seek a back-to-back state championship run in 2011-12, they'll attempt it under the guidance of first-year head coach Ron Burdette, who was a long-time assistant and interim coach within the Wallace State family.
Burdette replaces the recently retired Larry Slater, who compiled a 479-163 career record in 22 seasons and led the women's program to all six state titles and four national tournament appearances.
Wallace State shouldn't miss a beat with Burdette at the helm. The former University of Alabama basketball walk-on served as an assistant coach under Slater beginning in 2002, playing a strong role in the program winning two state championships (2003, 2011). Burdette was also the men's interim head coach during the 2004-05 campaign.
Burdette will lean on the experience of five sophomores this season, including forward Tacouya Allen, a 2011 All-ACCC Tournament and 2nd-team All-Northern Division selection. Point Brooklyn Warren returns after starting all 30 games last season, and Nisha Walker will be a welcome addition to the mix after suffering a season-ending knee injury last season.
Freshmen Ashley Nance and Lauren Harris join the Lady Lions after leading their respective high schools to state championship games and earning All-State honors, Haley Stewart should provide a big 3-point threat after transferring from Freed-Hardeman and Arkia Armstrong, the daughter of former NBA point guard and Dallas Mavericks assistant Darrell Armstrong, will provide quality depth in the backcourt.
Wallace State won the 2011 state tournament as the Northern Division's No. 3 seed and reeled off four wins in four days en route to the championship. The Lady Lions defeated three higher seeds, including top-seeded Shelton State and CVCC in the semifinal and championship games respectively.
Wallace State finished the season with a 21-9 record behind NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American guard Bailee Robinson and a six other sophomores who all are playing at four-year institutions in 2011-12.
Wallace State women's basketball has produced more than 100 NCAA Division I players upon transferring and holds claim to a strong collection of All-Americans and Academic All-Americans in its history.
Burdette, who lives in Cullman and holds a degree in marketing from Alabama, coached at Monrovia Middle School and Randolph High School in the 1990s, prior to his arrival at Wallace State.
Burdette and his wife Terri have four daughters, Ashley, Erin, Emily and Kristen.
For more information about the program, contact Coach Ron Burdette at 256-352-8350 or email Ron.Burdette@wallacestate.edu.
