Conference: 7-4A
Coach: John Ware
Assistant coach: Mark Freer
Last year’s record: 19-11 (second in conference, runner-up in district tournament)
Returning starters: Marcel Bedford (5-11 guard who averages 15 points per game last season), Tracy Johnson (6-4 senior forward, averages 8 points and 9 rebounds per game), Daijour Dawn (good-shooting senior and penetrator who scored 8 points per game), and Briseton Barnes (6-2 senior guard; “One of the best athletes in the conference,” Ware said.)
Best inside players: Johnson, Travon Polk (6-4 junior) and Devin Kirk (6-3 junior)
Best perimeter players: Bedford and Barnes
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “We have a good team. We are in a strong and competitive conference.” Ware said. “There will not be very much difference in teams top to bottom. Our goal is to outhustle, outwork and outplay the opponent each night. That starts with each individual willing to work toward that goal. As we do, we will be successful.”
Strengths of team: “We have experience, we have played together, we understand our goals, and we are willing to work toward them,” Ware said. “We have good basketball players. We have good people that are willing to work. They have a positive attitude, they respect one another and they do well in the classroom.”
Weaknesses of team: None
Games to watch: “Everyone in our conference is tough and well-coached. We hope the last game of the season will be in March,” Ware said.
Toughest opponents: Pulaski Academy, Maumelle, Ashdown, Nashville, Bauxite, De Queen
College prospects: Bedford, Johnson, Dawn and Barnes. Ware said Bedford and Johnson are good rebounders while Dawn is a clutch free-throw shooter and a smart ballplayer. Barnes can score and rebound.