Searcy Lions

Conference: 6/7A East

Coach: Jim Summers, 11th year at the school, and seventh year as head coach; career record, 43-80

Assistant coach: Bryant Turney

2012-2013 record: 6-20 overall, 1-13 in conference

Returning starters: Emajae Young, a 6-2 senior shooting guard, averaged 22 points per game, 6.5 rebounds and 2 steals, and was an all-conference selection. James Wade, a 5-7 junior point guard, was injured for most of the season last year.

Starters: Anthony Arnold, a 5-8 junior shooting guard. “He’s in football right now, but we’re excited to get him over here, and he’ll have a chance to help us out,” Summers said. Jeffery Oest, a 6-2 senior forward; Rivers Rideout, a 6-4 junior post player; and Montell Williams, a 6-1 junior forward. “I’ve got a really nice sophomore class that’s going to push those guys for those starting spots. I think we’ve got a different type of team than we’ve had in the past,” Summers said.

Best outside players: Young and Wade. “Last year, [Young] shot 40 percent from the 3-point line. He scored over 30 points six times last year, and his season high was 45 points against Little Rock Central,” Summers said. “[Wade] is a super-quick point guard. He’s very athletic and distributes the ball very well.”

How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “I think last year we were really small,” Summers said. “[This year] our guards are really long and athletic. The more athleticism you can get, the better you can compete. This will help us with rebounding and matching up with other teams in the conference.”

Strengths of the team: “Our athleticism and hustle. This group really gets after it, and we’re going to compete every night,” Summers said.

Weaknesses of the team: “Experience, when you really look at it,” Summers said. “We’re going to have to get out there and figure it out really quick.”

Games to watch: North Little Rock and Jonesboro.

Toughest opponent: North Little Rock. “They are so good this year. They’re in a league of their own,” Summers said.

College prospects: “[Young] is getting some looks right now,” Summers said. “His recruiting process is just starting out this year.”

In a nutshell: “They’re hard workers and great kids. I’ve got a great group of kids,” Summers said. “They work well together. I’m in a really good situation right now.”

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