Girls
Conference: 4-4A
Coach: Chance Johnson, fifth year at school
Assistant coach: Drew Siebenmorgan
2011-12 record: 25-7 overall, first place in conference, ousted in first round of state tournament
Returning starters: The major starters from last year’s Pottsville team all graduated in May. Senior Callie Cox (5-foot-3 guard) played the most minutes last year of anyone on the current team, but with such a strong senior class, she rarely started. “Callie has a great shooting skill, an ability to drive and create shots,” Johnson said.
Best inside players: Junior Courtney Dotson (5-11 post) has “still got some work to do,” Johnson said, but she has good hands and is developing into a sound player for the team after playing JV last year. Dotson is joined by junior Jenna Goodin (5-9 small forward), who is known for a good jump shot and smart playing.
Best outside players: Junior Hannah Barnett (5-4 guard) saw some playing time last year despite being a sophomore at the time. “She got to play with varsity some because of her defensive ethic,” Johnson said. Senior Hope Huffman (5-5 guard) is “another one that can attack the basket hard,” Johnson said. “[Huffman] plays sound defense and has a good sense and floor presence.”
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “It will be challenging at first,” Johnson said of this year’s team. With such a strong senior class last season, none of the returning players has much floor time under her belt. “They’ve come a long way since even this summer,” Johnson said. “We’re hoping to get a good team chemistry going and build some confidence.”
Team strengths: Speed and a strong defensive effort are the two main things that Johnson sees helping the team move forward this season.
Team weakness: In addition to a lack of playing time last season for the girls, Johnson is somewhat concerned with the team’s lack of height. “We’re going to have to play with more pressure on the ball and not allow teams to get easy looks to the inside,” Johnson said.
Games to watch: “I think about any game in the River Valley is going to be exciting,” Johnson said. The coach will also look to Dardanelle and Dover for competitive games, and to Maumelle as the conference newbie.
Toughest opponent: In terms of nonconference play, Johnson said, Bauxite is an especially tough match. Both Dover and Dardanelle will post a big in-conference challenge, thanks to a number of returning players.
College prospects: Senior Callie Cox has an interest in playing beyond this season and has been to a few showcases.
In a nutshell: “I still feel hopeful that we can compete for a conference championship,” Johnson said. “I know we don’t have the experience, but we have a tough nonconference schedule to help toughen us up and get us ready for league play.”
Boys
Conference: 4-4A
Coach: Shane Thurman, second year at school)
Assistant coach: Garrett Hill
2011-12 record: 22-7 overall, second place in conference, second place in district, ousted in first round of state.
Returning starters: Junior Michael Perry (5-foot-10 point guard) made a splash as an all-state athlete and will start again this season. “He has an ability to make other players better by knowing when to pass the ball and how to lead the team,” Thurman said. Perry started on varsity as a freshman, a feat that is “very unusual” at the school, Thurman said. Also returning this season is senior Luke McAnulty (5-11 shooting guard), known for his outstanding defense. Senior Corey McKown (6-3 center) will also return to start, one of four students on the team at the 6-2 and above height range. Senior Tyler Weaver (6-2 power forward), known for his athleticism on the court, will also start again this season.
Best inside players: Senior Chris Albin (6-4 power forward) has been “the most improved player during our offseason program,” Thurman said. “He’s ready to step in and make a big contribution. Senior Trevor Manness (6-4 center) will add height, while junior Travis Cole (5-11 shooting guard) will help pick up points with his standout shooting ability.
Best outside players: Junior Preston Pfeiffer (5-11 point guard) stands out to Thurman as one to watch, thanks to his athletic prowess and good ballhandling. Senior Jordan Dugger (5-11 weak forward) can play almost any position on the team, and Thurman will look to him for flexibility.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “As long as we have everybody come out of football healthy, we should be OK,” Thurman said. Five of the team’s top 10 players are also on the football team. “We just need to build on what we learned last season.”
Team strengths: “We’ve got most of our strongest players from last season back, and that’s a huge deal,” Thurman said.
Team weaknesses: Thurman said the players’ defense may have held the team back from moving forward in the state tournament last season. “We need to be able to handle inside shooting threats,” Thurman said.
Games to watch: When Thurman moved to coach at Pottsville from Dardanelle, a rivalry with the nearby school got even more heated. Expect big crowds.
Toughest opponent: “Maumelle is new to our conference. They came in and took Clarksville’s place,” Thurman said. “They’re the unknown, and I know people are looking to them as the team to beat.”
College prospects: It’s too early to say for most players, but Thurman believes Michael Perry will likely get an offer for either football or basketball.
In a nutshell: “We want to improve on our postseason performance from last year,” Thurman said. “We want to make it to the state tournament, maybe even be able to make a deep run.”