WHITE COUNTY CENTRAL BEARS

LITTLE ROCK — BOYS Conference: 2A-2 Coach: Danny Starkey, first season at White County Central Assistant coaches: Donald Starkey Returning starters: 6-6 senior post Cody Weathers returns. “He’s definitely going to have to be a leader for us,” Starkey said.

Best inside players: Weathers leads the way, and 6-2 senior forward Dustin Curtis also should contribute on the inside.

Best outside players: 5-3 senior guard Jacob Holland saw a lot of playing time last season and will be counted on this season. “He’s stout and he jumps well,” Starkey said. “He’s an athletic kid.” How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “I feel pretty good,” Starkey said. “You just know going in, it’s going to be tough in this conference. But we’re excited. Ithink we’ll at least be competitive. Of course, what you’re shooting for is to get into the playoffs. And coming out of this conference, if you can get into the extended season then you’ve got a shot to compete with anybody.” Strengths of team: Work ethic. “The kids are all working hard,” Starkey said.

“Hopefully, give us a little time and we’ll see some good things happen.” Weaknesses of team: Youth, inexperience. With just one returning starter, White County Central will need Weathers to carry the load until the new starters can make the adjustment.

Game to watch: Conway St. Joseph Toughest opponent: Conway St. Joseph has great tradition and is always a tough opponent.

In a nutshell: Starkey takes over after a successful tenure at Riverview. It might take a little while, but White County Central should show improvement over last season.

GIRLS Conference: 2A-2 Coach: Sam Farris, first year at White County Central Assistant coaches: Danny Starkey, Donald Starkey Last year’s record: 8-20 Returning starters: 5-8 senior guard Victoria Mandrell is very versatile, Farris said. “She’s an all-around player,” Farris said. “She can shoot and she can handle the ball.” Best inside players: Seniors Taylor Pearson and Charity Smith and sophomores Alania Daniel and DeLaney Welch all will get opportunities around the basket.

Best outside players: Mandrell will lead the way, and sophomores Tess Holland and Autumn Pruett have a chance to contribute.

How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “We’re a work in progress,” Farris said. “But they come out every day and work hard; It’s a whole new team, so it’s hard to tell.” Strengths of team: “It’s just a work in progress,” Farris said. “They have a goodwork ethic and they’re coming out and trying to get better every day.” Weaknesses of team: “Height,” Farris said. “We just don’t have a lot of size.

And we’re pretty young. We have eight sophomores.” Games to watch: Conway St. Joseph Toughest opponent: Conway St. Joseph, because of their tradition and last season’s success In a nutshell: With eight sophomores and a new coach, White County Central will be learning on the go.

WHITE COUNTY CENTRAL BEARS SCHEDULE

Oct. 20 ..................................... @ Midland

Oct. 22 ......................................@ Concord

Nov. 3 ........................................ @ Midland

Nov. 6 ..................................... @ Pangburn

Nov. 13 ...............................@ Cedar Ridge

Nov. 17 ....................... @ Conway Christian

Nov. 23 .............................. @ Cross County

Nov. 24 ............................................Hazen

Dec. 1 .................................... Abundant Life

Dec. 4 ........................................@ Bradford

Dec. 8 ...........................................St. Joseph

Dec. 11 .......................................Bald Knob

Jan. 5 .........................................@ Bigelow

Jan. 8 ........................................ @ Lutheran

Jan. 12 ..........................................Quitman

Jan. 15 ......................................... Bradford

Jan. 19 .............................. @ Abundant Life

Jan. 22 ....................................@ St. Joseph

Jan. 26 .......................................... Lutheran

Jan. 28 .............................................Bigelow

Feb. 2 .............................. Conway Christian

Feb. 4 ............................................Concord

Feb. 5 ........................................@ Quitman

Feb. 9 ......................................Cedar Ridge

Feb. 12 ........................................ Pangburn

Three Rivers, Pages 145 on 10/25/2009

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