Conference: 2A-4 East
Coach: Brian Narretto, second year, 12-16
Assistant coaches: Andrew Roberson and Brooks Sisson
2012-13 record: 12-16 overall and 5-5 in conference. Conference, district and Class 2A West Regional runner-up, lost to Conway St. Joseph, 79-55. Lost to Parkers Chapel in the opening round of the Class 2A State Tournament, 58-39.
Returning starters: The Eagles have just one, but he’s a dandy. Caleb Dather, 6-4, 220-pound senior center, averaged 9 points and 10 rebounds per game as a junior. “He gives it everything he has on both ends of the floor, 100 percent effort all the time,” Narretto said. “He should average a double-double for us this year.”
Best inside players: Dather will be joined by Chandler Ferrand, 6-0, 180 senior forward, 5 ppg, 3 rpg, inside. “Another young man who gives it everything he has on both ends of the floor, 100 percent effort all the time,” the coach said. “He should really help us out this year in the post.”
Best outside players: Luke Beckman, a 6-0, 150-pound junior guard, hit a 3-pointer last year against Clinton to send the game into overtime; Conway Christian went on to win its first game of the season. Christian Cox, a 6-0, 170-pound senior guard, will step into the 3-guard spot this year as an inside-outside presence, Narretto said.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? Narretto said the Eagle sophomores would have to step up and be ready to contribute in order for Conway Christian to exceed last season’s success.
Team strengths: The Eagles have some experience and maturity, and after last year’s postseason success they know they can compete.
Team weaknesses: That big sophomore class will need to mature quickly.
Games to watch: Narretto said he expected both Conway St. Joseph and Hector to have strong seasons. “It will be interesting to see if we can step up to the challenges they present and overcome those challenges,” he said.
Toughest opponent: Conway St. Joseph, which finished 31-3 last year and beat CCS for the conference, district and regional titles. “They are good year in and year out,” Narretto said of Brent Bruich’s Bulldogs. “We have had our chances to beat them but have not been able to prevail thus far.”
College prospects: Dather has the potential to play somewhere next year.
In a nutshell: “We have three seniors, two juniors and a lot of sophomores on this year’s team,” Narretto said. “We have moved some players around to put them in better positions to be successful this year.”