What does future hold at Forestview after state title?

GREENSBORO — The returning Forestview players believe they’ll be fine next year — even after the departure of two Division I signees.

They’ll be without their two leading scorers, without their assist leader and without their defensive ace.

Yes, the Jaguars will sorely miss Shannon Smith and Kelsey Harris, but talent remains at Forestview, where three starters are due to return next season.

“I feel like after this year I think we can do it again because we have so much support from all our teammates and so much potential on our team,” sophomore center Khadijah Joyner said.

Smith and Harris accounted for 54.8 percent of the team’s scoring for the season. But the third-leading scorer was a freshman (Bre Armstrong). The top rebounder was a sophomore (Joyner). And one of the team’s most energetic defenders was a sophomore (Brianna Taylor).

After playing key roles in Saturday’s 3A state championship victory, those three left Chapel Hill with confidence they say will carry over to next season.

“We’re going to play smart. We’re going to play hard like we usually do,” Armstrong said. “I’m just happy that we won it this year and Shannon and Kelsey were able to win it their senior year. They worked very hard for their four years at Forestview and they got it.”

Reserves who played key minutes this season include junior post Jazmin Ellis and sophomore guard Phierica Gardin. That doesn’t mention the younger sisters of Smith and Harris, who didn’t have much of a chance to display their skill on the varsity level.

The biggest question next season: Who will shoulder the scoring load in place of Smith, who was able to create her own shot against the stiffest competition? Armstrong would appear to be the primary candidate, as she averaged double figures and at some points ranked second in scoring.

“It’s going to be a big difference,” Armstrong said. “We’re going to have to change up a lot of things, but we’re going to have a lot more leaders that will have to step up.”

Winning a state title can work both ways. The confidence is there, but so is a target.

That’s why the players know the pressure will be on next year — especially locally — because opponents might perceive a golden opportunity to dethrone a team that has reigned the Big South Conference four straight seasons.

“But we’re going to shock them a lot,” Armstrong said. “We’re going to put the work in. There’s no doubt.”

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.