Conference: 1A-5 North
Coach: John Hutchcraft (year at school: 33rd; 1,688-403, boys and girls)
Assistant coach: None
2010-11 record: 30-10 (district champion; regional runner-up; quarterfinals of Class 1A State Tournament)
Returning starters: None
Best inside players: Will Ward (6-3 senior) is very strong, Hutchcraft said. Irish Fitzgerald (6-2 junior) can also play outside.
Best outside players: The Thunderbirds will count on upperclassmen from the outside: seniors Daniel Lary and Darius Young and junior Garrett Whisenhunt.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? After the state quarterfinal finish in 2010-11, Guy-Perkins has all new players. Hutchcraft said there was not as much talent on this team, but the chemistry would be better.
Strengths of the team: The coach said the Thunderbirds would have a good player in every position. “They’ve got great attitudes and good work habits,” he said. “They are fun to coach.”
Weaknesses of the team: With no returning starters, a lack of experience is the most obvious weakness.
Games to watch: Wonderview won the Class 1A state title in 2010. The Thunderbirds eliminated the Daredevils in the opening round of the state tournament last year.
Toughest opponent: Conway St. Joseph, which won the Class 2A state title in 2009 and reached the semifinals in 2010. It's a fierce Faulkner County rivalry.
College prospects: None yet.
In a nutshell: Hutchcraft, who has led the Thunderbirds to state championships in 1997, 2005, ’06 and ’09, said he expected to have a winning season with an inexperienced team. “They are a very fun bunch to coach,” he said.