Conference: 7-4A
Coach: Steve Quattlebaum, third year, 25-29; 529-200 in 27 years overall
Assistant coach: Cade Smith
2011-12 record: 16-13 overall, 9-5 in the 5A Southwest, lost to Greenwood in the first round of the Class 5A State Tournament
Returning starters: Dylan Sherrill (5-foot-10 senior guard, 10 points per game, second-leading scorer last two years); Josh Holland (6-2 senior forward, 8 rebounds per game, second-leading rebounder); Beau Barnes (5-7 senior point guard); and Logan Stafford (5-9 senior guard).
Best inside players: The Mustangs don’t have much size, so they use some “undersized guys” in the post, starting with Holland, a solid defender who will have to increase scoring inside this year. Travis Byrne (6-0 senior) is a more natural outside player, but he came off the bench last year and helped CAC in the post. Quattlebaum calls him “very athletic and a good jumper.” Joseph Strange (5-11 junior) played sparingly last year but “is a strong kid who is probably better out on the floor,” Quattlebaum said. “He will have to help us inside some.” Julian Kidd (6-0 junior) is another true outside player who drew praise for his summer work. Quattlebaum said Kidd would compete for playing time. Stephen Flanigan (6-1 sophomore) has a chance to help inside. The coach called him “a true post player who is athletic, can defend and rebound and is improving offensively. We really need him to come on early and contribute.”
Best outside players: Sherrill, Stafford and Barnes will be key leaders. Sherrill had a great summer of work and improved in all areas of the game. Stafford started as a sophomore but came off the bench last year for instant offense. “He is the best shooter on the team with great range,” Quattlebaum said. Barnes is a reliable ballhandler and excellent defender who will be in charge this season. Quattlebaum described Jacob Laney (5-11 senior) as “a streaky shooter” who sat out last year after transferring but looked good in summer work. Eric Bentley (5-11 junior) is a good shooter who can play the point or two guard. Elijah Loring (5-5 junior) also sat out most of last year after transferring and an injury. He is very athletic and a good creator, the coach said. Billy Sullivan (5-10 junior) is a solid defender. After a productive summer, he will battle for playing time. Landon Stafford (5-6 sophomore) looked good at times during the summer, Quattlebaum said, and will get some time at point guard.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? Quattlebaum is optimistic, particularly with the move down to Class 4A after four years in 5A. “We have a lot of kids back and four seniors who will be three-year starters,” he said. “We have good kids who are working really hard to have a successful year.”
Strengths of the team: Experienced senior class, eight returners from top 10 players last season, athleticism. Quattlebaum anticipates a much better shooting and pressing team.
Weaknesses of the team: Size is the most obvious. The Mustangs don’t have a true post player. “We need some kids with not much experience to step in and help out off the bench,” Quattlebaum said.
Games to watch: The Mustangs face a difficult nonconference schedule. Pulaski Academy and Morrilton “wore us out last year,” so the Mustangs hope to play them better this time. Maumelle is a good rivalry. Arkansas Baptist, another good rival, is now a conference opponent.
Toughest opponent: Morrilton, Bryant and Little Rock Catholic, all larger schools. Clarksville, the defending Class 4A state champion, could loom as a tournament opponent.
College prospects: Possibilities include Sherrill and Flanigan.
In a nutshell: “We are really looking forward to the season,” Quattlebaum said. “We have an experienced team that should be fun to coach. They work hard and have great attitudes. We have a solid, deep senior class with great leadership.”
Central Arkansas Christian Lady Mustangs
Conference: 7-4A
Coach: Steve Quattlebaum (18th year, 385-143; 529-200 in 27 years overall)
Assistant coach: Cade Smith
2011-12 record: 24-6 overall, 13-1 in the 5A Southwest, lost in semifinals of Class 5A State Tournament to eventual champion Greenwood
Returning starters: Falan Miller (5-foot-11 junior forward), who led the team in scoring as a sophomore; Sydnie Jones (6-1 sophomore post, 10 points per game, 9 rebounds per game as a freshman on the varsity squad); and Sara Butler (5-5 sophomore guard).
Best inside players: Quattlebaum expects big things from Jones, who nearly averaged a double-double as a freshman. Kendall Krueger, a 6-0 senior post, played off the bench last year and is one of the Lady Mustangs’ best passers who can also rebound and score around the basket. Danielle Jayroe, a 5-7 senior, will provide some depth inside, but CAC suffered a loss this fall when junior Rachel Mina, who provided a spark inside last year, injured a shoulder playing soccer. She is likely out for the year.
Best outside players: Miller, who will also play the power forward spot some, and Butler lead the outside players. Miller, who also started as a freshman, can do it all — score, rebound, defend. Quattlebaum said she was beginning to draw some attention from Division I coaches. Butler started nine games as a freshman at point guard and will run the show this year, the coach said. She is “a true point guard we haven’t had in a few years who can also score and create assists,” he said. Also expected to help outside are senior Jessica Saunders, who didn’t play last year but got good minutes as a sophomore off the bench and will provide good defense, shooting and leadership. Kristianna Watson, a 5-4 junior guard, is one of CAC’s best athletes who can play point guard or shooting guard and provide speed in the press. Chloe Elkins, a 5-7 junior, and Anna Kay Marlar, a 5-10 junior, are probably the two best pure shooters on the team, Quattlebaum said.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? The veteran Quattlebaum is excited about his team’s chances after moving back to the 7-4A. “We are still fairly young in years but talented, and we’re probably a little deeper than we have been,” he said. “Plus, we think four years of playing in (Class) 5A has toughened us up a little.”
Strengths of the team: The talented trio of Miller, Jones and Butler can all run, defend, pass and score. Saunders’ return provides another proven player and leadership. Krueger is poised to have a great year, Quattlebaum said. “We have some experience, but we do need a few players who haven’t played a lot to step up,” he said.
Weaknesses of the team: As a whole, the coach said, CAC is not a great shooting team. “We may struggle in that area at times,” he said. “We would like to be a better pressing and defensive team.”
Games to watch: Nonconference contests with North Little Rock and Pulaski Academy are anticipated because of the rivalries. Malvern reached the semifinals of the Class 4A State Tournament and could push CAC in the 7-4A.
Toughest opponent: Quattlebaum said Malvern, Bauxite and Arkansas Baptist would all be good in the 7-4A.
College prospects: Miller has the size and skills and is versatile enough to play inside or out. Jones, just a sophomore, is still growing. She can run and is athletic, a great shot-blocker and rebounder.
In a nutshell: “I like our team,” Quattlebaum said. “We have six of the top nine players back from a Class 5A semifinal team. They are good kids on and off the floor who are working very hard.”