CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Lady Comets head to Regionals as No. 1 Seed

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By RAUL GARCIA JR | Little Rock City News

The Lady Comets are champions once again.

After 18 years, the team has reclaimed the 4A South Region 5 South Conference Championship, dedicating this victory to Cyndi Gregory. With a dominant 8-1 conference record, they now enter the regional tournament as the No. 1 seed on Tuesday against Heber Springs (15-15). The contest tips off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday located at Clinton High School.

In a thrilling home-court showdown Saturday night, the Lady Comets defeated the Malvern High Lady Leopards 67-43 to claim the 4A Region 5 South Championship. Under the leadership of Head Coach Joe Gregory, who has transformed the program in just three seasons, the team has reestablished itself as a powerhouse.

“My team hit a switch and it started to click for them,” Gregory said after the game. “Honestly that witch flipped based on the tragedy. It’s unfortunate. This is a very tough time for me because she is not with me, she is not with us. She would be sitting there.”

The win marked the Lady Comets’ seventh in a row, coming in the wake of the tragic passing of Cyndi Gregory, beloved wife of Coach Joe Gregory and mother of Mills U. Junior Point Guard Jeneva Gregory.

“This is tough and those girls took it on. Shout-out to those girls,” Gregory said.

Cyndi, affectionately known as the team’s “Basketball Mom,” tragically lost her life due to the rising violence in Little Rock, leaving behind a grieving community. Despite the heartbreak, the Lady Comets rallied together, channeling their emotions into their game and honoring her memory the best way they knew how—by giving their all on the court.

With momentum on their side, the Lady Comets set their sights on the next challenge—making a deep run in the regional tournament.

Coach Joe Gregory has been instrumental in revitalizing the girls’ basketball program at Mills University Studies High School. Since taking the helm in the 2022-23 season, he has led the Lady Comets to significant improvements, transforming them from a struggling team into strong competitors in the Arkansas high school basketball scene.

Prior to Coach Gregory’s tenure, the Lady Comets faced several challenging seasons. In the 2021-22 season, the team finished with a 0-14 record, and the following 2022-23 season saw improvement. However, with Coach Gregory’s arrival in his second season, the team’s performance saw a notable upswing, achieving a 13-11 overall record and a 5-5 mark in conference play. Building on this momentum, the 2024-25 season has been even more impressive, with the Lady Comets currently holding a 15-9 overall record and an 9-1 conference record, positioning them as strong contenders in the upcoming high school playoffs.

Under his guidance, the Lady Comets are poised to make a deep run in the regional tournament, aiming to solidify their place in Arkansas high school basketball history. Coach Gregory’s leadership has undoubtedly set a new standard for excellence at Mills University Studies High School.