Conference: 5-3A
Coach: Chris Jones (second season)
Assistant coach: Bryan Weatherford
Last year’s record: 1-17 (seventh in the conference)
Returning starters: Cobey Wingfield (5-foot-9 senior guard) saw limited action last year because of an injury. Dustin Moore (5-9 senior guard) filled in at the point in Wingfield’s absence and averaged four points per game last season. Lane Ballard (6-1 junior forward) averaged seven points as a sophomore. “He’s a slasher, who was most effective coming off the dribble and in transition,” Jones said. Collin Hunter (5-11 junior) averaged seven points last season. “He’s very physical in the paint, had success shooting the 3 and was our best rebounder,” Jones said. Ethan Beard (5-9 junior) is the “fastest player on the team.” He started at times last year but was hampered with a knee injury.
Best inside players: The Beavers lost Coulter Perry’s 11 points per game when he graduated last spring, so sophomore Ben Witherspoon (6-4) will be asked to step in and give the squad a solid presence in the middle. Senior Aaron Fulbright (6-3) has never played high school basketball, but Jones said he is “rangy and has some raw skills.”
Best perimeter players: “Ballard and Wingfield should step up their games from the perimeter. Sophomore transfer Dakota Harris (5-7) had a solid summer,” Jones said. “He might be our best shooter from the arc and could see time at point. Hunter is also versatile enough to handle the ball and be a threat from deep.”
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “With a solid core of veteran upperclassmen, we should improve off that one win. Our strength and conditioning will be solid. We have a hungry group of sophomores that will make our practices extremely competitive and productive,” Jones said.
Strengths of the team: Upperclassmen, physical strength and tenacity.
Weaknesses of the team: Consistency, rebounding, finishing open looks and knowing how to win.
Games to watch: “Every game for us is important,” Jones said.
Toughest opponent: Again, Jones said, “Every game for us is important.”
College prospects: None.