Conference: 7A-Central
Coach: James Bates (year at school: 12th, 212-103 overall)
Assistant coach: Brian Longing
2010-11 record: 19-8 overall (10-4 in conference), conference runner-up, state quarterfinalist
Returning starters: Everett Reed (6-2 senior forward, 7 points per game, 6 rebounds per game); Tim Boyd (5-9 junior guard, 9 ppg); Xavier Clardy (6-5 senior post)
Best inside players: Clardy returns after being injured during the conference schedule last season.
Best outside players: Boyd, a good shooter, gave the Wampus Cats some offense last season when they struggled at times, Bates said. Kevin Guiden, a 5-9 senior guard, got some varsity minutes a year ago and made three 3-pointers against Little Rock Catholic. Garan Davis, a 6-1 senior forward, “gives us some length at the 3 if he becomes more consistent,” the coach said.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? The Wampus Cats won the Class 7A state title in 2010, and “we always have goals of winning our conference and playing well in state,” Bates said.
Strengths of the team: The Wampus Cats have speed and quickness, and depth at the guard position will be a plus.
Weaknesses of the team: Depth inside could be a question. Except for the 6-5 Clardy, the Wampus Cats don’t have a lot of size in the post.
Games to watch: Bates said every 7A-Central game would be key.
Toughest opponent: The coach said the conference schedule would be difficult because the schools know each other’s strengths and weaknesses so well and they scheme to attack the weaknesses.
College prospects: None at this point.
In a nutshell: Bates said this group had worked hard in the preseason. “Having graduated 70 percent of our scoring from a year ago, competition for playing time has been fierce,” he said. “This should help us down the road.”