Conference: 3A-2
Coach: Michael Simmons (14 years)
Assistant coach: Randall Storey
Last year’s record: 15-11 overall, second in conference
Returning starters: Andrew Sutterfield (6-0, guard); Ethan Farris (6-6, post); Jordan Wilcox (6-0, guard)
Best inside players: Farris, a junior, averaged 10 points per game and 6 rebounds. “He’s very skilled at scoring around the goal,” Simmons said, “but he can also step out and shoot a three.” James Cartwright (6-3, senior) was a spot starter last year, the coach said, and is another post kid who can play inside and out.
Best outside players: Tyler Luster (junior) is a returning guard who will be counted a lot for shooting. “He’s probably the best 3-point shooter we have,” Simmons said. The Yellowjackets have a sophomore moving up from junior high who can score —Tanner Holt (5-10).
How do you think will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? Simmons said Mountain View has most of its scoring back from last year. There will be a good sophomore group who is moving up who will contribute to the game. “I feel like we’ll be one of the top two teams in our conference,” he said.
Strengths of team: Experience is going to be to the Yellowjackets’ advantage. “Most of my kids played a whole lot last year,” Simmons said. “They played all summer and all spring.” Additionally, with the number of talented guards, guard play and shooting will add to the offense.
Weaknesses of team: While the team has good size, Simmons said they don’t have big, strong kids inside like they would like to have.
Games to watch: Mountain View has a good rivalry with Valley Springs. “The last two or three years, we had a lot of [competitive] games with them,” the coach said. Bergman is another rival that he said would be a good game to watch.
Toughest opponent: In the conference, Flippin and Valley Springs will probably be two of the better teams that Yellowjackets play, Simmons said. “Flippin has a lot of seniors that they’re going to play this year,” he said, “while Valley Springs has a really talented sophomore class.”
College prospects: The coach said he has a lot of juniors who may be possible college prospects, but he can’t tell at this point who will be able to play at the collegiate level.