Conference: 2A-2
Coach: Danny Starkey (third season)
Assistant coach: None
Last year’s record: 3-20 (finished sixth in conference play)
Returning starters: Austin Ausbrooks, a senior center, averaged 8 points and 8 rebounds per game last season; and Adam Osborn, a junior guard, scored 10 points per game as a sophomore.
Best inside players: Starkey said his team should be better with the return of Ausbrooks and Dalton House, who gained some experience last season. “We also have some sophomores that will help inside,” Starkey said. Those sophomores are Dylan Tippy (6-1), Waylon Van Winkle (6-3) and Elijah Cannon (6-3).
Best perimeter players: Adam Osborn will be the most experienced player and scorer from last year, “but we expect some other kids to step up this year,” Starkey said.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? With only three wins last season, there’s plenty of room for improvement, and Starkey kept it simple by saying “We hope that we will exceed the success of last year.”
Strengths of the team: The Bears have to be cohesive to be successful this season. Fortunately, that seems to be the case, Starkey said. “I believe that team chemistry will be a major part of this team and the willingness to play whatever role they need to play to make this team successful,” he said.
Weaknesses of the team: With only two returning starters, the Bears’ lack of experience could be their biggest hurdle to overcome, Starkey said.
Games to watch: Every conference game will be equally important for White County Central, the coach said.
Toughest opponent: Cedar Ridge, Cotter and Pangburn will be the toughest, Starkey said. Then he added, “We refuse to consider any team an easy opponent.”
College prospects: None.