CENTRAL ARKANSAS CHRISTIAN MUSTANGS

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

LITTLE ROCK — BOYS

Conference: 5A-West

Coach: Rick Beene, first season; 396-161

overall

Assistant coaches: Jason Gates and Michael

Wilson

Last year’s record: 14-10, 9-5, tied for second

in conference, reached quarterfinals of Class

5A State Tournament

Returning starters: Chase Cain, 6-3 senior center/forward, eight points, 4.6 rebounds per game;

6-0 senior forward Ryan Lamberson, 5.6 points, 66 percent free-throw percentage. J.J. Johnson, a 6-1 senior guard, returns after missing most of last season with an injury. He averaged seven points during 2007-08. Nathan Beene, a 6-1 junior point guard, transfers in with his father from Oklahoma, where he averaged 19 points, 7.1 assists and 2.6 steals. Entering the season, he has scored 1,059 points and handed out 420 assists in his career. He was named the best player in Oklahoma by Coaches Aid.

Best inside players: Beene said Cain must be a force for the Mustangs on the inside. Jaylon Jones, a 6-2 guard who started a few games for the Mustangs last year, averaging 2.8 points and 3.8 rebounds, would also be needed inside.

Best outside players: Nathan Beene has an outstanding career going as he moves fromClass A Granite, Okla., where his father was the superintendent and basketball coach. J.J. Johnson could be the Mustangs’ best inside/ outside threat. “Ryan Lamberson is our best pure shooter and will be one of our best scoring threats,” Rick Beene said. He added that Alex Bishop, a senior, would be one of CAC’s best defenders; Sam Stringfellow, a junior, should help the Mustangs’ depth; and Josh Adams, a sophomore, will add speed.

Strengths of team: Several offensive weapons.

Weaknesses of team: Depth is a problem. Beene said several Mustangs have had health issues over the offseason.

In a nutshell: “If we are healthy and play good defense, it could be a very good year on Mustang Mountain,” Beene said. “We need our point guard, Nathan Beene, to make the adjustment to the bigger school game quick.”GIRLS Conference: 5A-West Coach: Steve Quattlebaum, 322-116 in 14th season at CAC; 465-173 overall Assistant coach: Cade Smith, third year Last year’s record: 21-8, 9-5, fourth in conference, lost to Camden Fairview in opening round of Class 5A State Tournament Returning starters: Gracie Frizzell, 5-9 junior forward; Haley Hatcher, 5-7 sophomore guard; Shelby Tankersley, 5-9 junior post.

Best inside players: Quattlebaum said Tankersley, despite being undersized, should have a great year. “6-2 senior Kyla Krueger will also be counted on to give minutes in the post,” he said after Krueger sat out last year with knee problems.

Best outside players: In addition to Frizzell and Hatcher, Quattlebaum said the Lady Mustangs would look to some seniors with littlegame experience. “Katie Pennington (5-6) is the best shooter and has the most experience,” he said. “Precious Jeffrey (5-4) is a point guard; 5-6 Morgan Kirk is a combination 1-2 guard; 5-7 Destinee Spruill can play inside and out and is one of the best passers on the team.” He said Larkin Hatcher, a 5-4 sophomore guard, was impressive in summer workouts, and 5-7 sophomore guard/forwards Kiristen Camper and Taylor Evans would vie for playing time.

Strengths of team: Quattlebaum said he thought the Lady Mustangs would be motivated after what was, for them, a disappointing 2008-09 season. They are not used to being out of the conference and state championship hunts. He said he had some talented underclassmen mixed with a lot of inexperience. “We should be able to score well, and Frizzell and [Haley] Hatcher are both Division I talent,” he said. “Our senior class has something to prove.”MUSTANGS SCHEDULE Nov. 10 ...............................Jessieville (Girls) Nov. 12 ................. @ North Little Rock (Girls) Nov. 24 ............................... Sheridan (Girls) Dec. 1 ................@ Little Rock Christian (Boys) Dec. 4 ...................@ Pulaski Academy (Boys) Dec. 17 ................. @ Pulaski Academy (Boys) Dec. 28 .................................. @ Hot Springs Jan. 8 .................................@ Siloam Springs Jan. 12 ........................................... Morrilton Jan. 15 .............................................@ Alma Jan. 19 ........................................ Greenbrier Jan. 22 ........................................@ Harrison Jan. 26 .......................................... @ Vilonia Jan. 29 .......................................Greenwood Feb. 5 ................................... Siloam Springs Feb. 9 ........................................ @ Morrilton Feb. 12 ................................................Alma Feb. 16 ....................................@ Greenbrier Feb. 19 ...........................................Harrison Feb. 23 ............................................. Vilonia Feb. 26 ..................................@ Greenwood

River Valley Ozark, Pages 218 on 10/25/2009

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