Conference: 4A-4
Coach: Russell Sturdivant (first year)
Assistant coach: Jared White
2010-11 record: 14-13 overall (6-8 in conference, fifth place)
Returning starters: Matt Brewer (5-6 senior point guard, 4 points per game); Alec Pyburn (6-2 senior forward, 6 ppg, 7 rebounds per game). “Matt is undersized in most games, but he makes up for it with his willingness to battle and compete,” Sturdivant said. “Alec was our most improved player last season. We are looking for the same type of growth this season as well.”
Best inside players: Mark Gathright (6-4 junior center, 5 ppg, 2 blocks per game); Anthony Merino (6-2 junior forward); Dalton Daughtrey (6-0 junior center). “Mark has the ability to be a game-changer,” Sturdivant said. “He is one of our best athletes and is capable of changing games with his shot-blocking ability. Anthony played big minutes as a sophomore last season and is one of our strongest players. Dalton showed glimpses of being a great high school post player last season. We are expecting more consistency from him this season.”
Best outside players: Trent Latham (6-0 junior guard, 9 ppg); Bo James (5-10 senior guard/forward); Tyler Keith (5-10 junior guard); Drew Davison (6-2 junior guard). “Trent was our sixth man last season and is expected to step into a starting role this season,” Sturdivant said. “He will be leaned on to take up some of the scoring that graduated last season. (James, Keith and Davison) played very little last season, but they will be called on to stretch the defense with their ability to shoot the basketball.”
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year?: Sturdivant said the Sand Lizards’ finish would depend on the development of the returning players as well as the sophomores moving up to help. “The sophomore group will be moving up seven players,” he said. “This group has several kids who have a chance to be impact players as 10th-graders.”
Strengths of the team: Dardanelle has several returning players with game experience. Overall size is another strength.
Weaknesses of the team: Sturdivant said inconsistency on offense could come back to haunt his team this season.
Games to watch: When Dardanelle plays host to Pottsville, on Jan. 10, it will mark the first game back at Dardanelle for Shane Thurman, now the coach at Pottsville and the former Dardanelle coach.
Toughest opponent: Clarksville, the defending Class 4A state champion, should provide the Sand Lizards their toughest test.
College prospects: None.
In a nutshell: “We have shown throughout the summer and preseason that we can be a good defensive team,” Sturdivant said. “The key to our season will be our ability to be consistent on the offensive end.”