Page 7 - 2018 TL Basketball Preview

TRI-LAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASKETBALL PREVIEW | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018
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SHERIDAN YELLOWJACKETS
Yellowjackets look to avoid repeat of early state-tourney exit
BY NATE OLSON
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
After two straight early exits from
the Class 6A State Tournament, the Yellowjackets are hopeful that this season will be different. Sheridan
finished 15-15 and fell to Marion 79-61 in last year’s state tournament.
“Obviously, we would like to improve [on our record], but overall, we want to work hard every single day,” Sheridan coach Joe Scott said. “Our conference is so difficult that we will have to play well every game to be victorious.”
One of the reasons Scott is optimistic is 6-6, 220-pound junior post player Tyler Cacciatori, who averaged 17 points and 9 rebounds per game last winter. He scored 20 or more points in nine games with a season-high 31 points against Little Rock McClellan.
“I really believe he is one of the most un- known players in the state,” Scott said. “He put up phenomenal numbers as a sophomore. He has really improved his overall game. He
SHERIDAN YELLOWJACKETS
STACI VANDAGRIFF/TRI-LAKES EDITION
Junior Taylor Melton makes a drive while junior Jairus Adams defends during a recent Sheridan Yellowjackets practice.
has great size and can play multiple positions. We look forward to him having an outstand- ing junior season.”
Senior guard Matt White, 6-0, 165, is the only other returning starter, the coach said. White averaged 5.5 points per game last season and torched El Dorado for a season-high 20 points.
“Many times, Matt took on the challenge of
NOV. 12-15 ............. @BAUXITE TOURNAMENT NOV. 30-DEC. 1 ........... @ALMA TOURNAMENT DEC. 4 ............................ @WATSON CHAPEL DEC. 7 ...................................... WHITE HALL DEC. 14 ................................. @WHITE HALL DEC. 21 ......................................... BAUXITE DEC. 27-29 ...................... @HEBER SPRINGS ................................................ TOURNAMENT JAN. 4 ............................ @LAKE HAMILTON* JAN. 8 .......................................... BENTON* JAN. 11 ................................... TEXARKANA* JAN. 15 .............. @HOT SPRINGS LAKESIDE*
guarding the other team’s best players,” Scott said. Junior Steph Thomas, 6-0, 160, has been impressive during the offseason and will man the point-guard spot, the coach said. Senior guard Logan Ingram, 5-8, 135, also looks for more time in the backcourt. Juniors Taylor Melton, 6-0, 160; Jacob Holinger, 5-10, 160; Jairus Adams, 5-10, 155; and Seth Alexander,
5-10, 175, add guard depth, the coach said. Junior Blake Morris, 6-3, 175, looks for
JAN. 18 ......................................... LR FAIR* JAN. 22 ............................. @HOT SPRINGS* JAN. 25 .............................. (B) EL DORADO* JAN. 29 ............................. LAKE HAMILTON* FEB. 1 ........................................ @BENTON* FEB. 5 ................................... @TEXARKANA* FEB. 8 ................... HOT SPRINGS LAKESIDE* FEB. 12 ....................................... @LR FAIR* FEB. 15 ................................ HOT SPRINGS* FEB. 19 ................................ @EL DORADO*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
more time at forward after scoring 7 points in the state-tournament loss to Marion, and senior forward Aaron Fenters, 6-3, 175, also seeks more minutes this season, Scott said.
Undersized senior post Hunter Threlkeld, 6-1, 200, showed promise at the end of last season with aggressive play in the paint, Scott said, and Threlkeld is a crafty rebounder and pulled down 11 boards against El Dorado and 10 against White Hall.
SHERIDAN LADY YELLOWJACKETS
Strong senior nucleus leading Lady Yellowjackets
BY NATE OLSON
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
With a strong senior cast, the Lady Yellowjackets have lofty goals af- ter losing in the quarterfinals of the Class 6A State Tournament
a year ago.
“Our goal will be to finish in the top of
our new conference,” Sheridan coach Jamison Ingram said. “We will have to be the hard- est-working team on the court each night. Offensively, we will have to just play our game and not hurt ourselves with turnovers. Re- bounding will be a game-changer for us.”
Versatile 5-11 senior Diamond Mor- ris leads Sheridan. Morris, who averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds per game last sea- son, is the squad’s tallest player but will see more time on the perimeter than she has the past two seasons, Ingram said. Morris is
the Tri-Lakes Edition 2018 Girls Basketball Player to Watch. Most of Morris’ summer basketball experience has been at shooting guard, and that’s the position she’s projected to play at the college level. Ingram confirmed that several NCAA Division I programs are interested in Morris, who took a visit to Arkansas State.
“She has a great outside shot with the abil- ity to get to the rim,” Ingram said. “She is also a strong force on defense with the knack to disrupt the offense’s game plan.”
Joining Morris in the backcourt is junior point guard Cassidy Henry. Henry logged sig- nificant minutes a year ago, relieving departed senior starter Savannah Howard.
Henry is a dynamic playmaker who can score, recording a season-high 26 points last year in the season opener.
“Cassidy handles the ball extremely well but also has the ability to score anytime from
many areas on the court,” Ingram said. “We will look to Cassidy for a lot of offensive energy.”
Senior shooting guard Blair Casey adds depth to the backcourt and is a long-range shooting threat, Ingram said.
A pair of seniors patrol inside for Sheridan. Kassi Martin is a three-year starter in the paint who averaged 6 points and 6 rebounds per game last season and “works extremely hard on defense,” Ingram said.
Undersized Brianna McElroy takes on tall- er opponents and has impressed Ingram with her commitment to defense and her tenacity on both ends of the court, the coach said.
“I really like this team’s heart and energy,” Ingram said. “I also love the growth of both leadership and skills that we have seen with this group over the past three years with our seniors. I think we are going to see lots of good things from our underclassmen.”
STACI VANDAGRIFF/TRI-LAKES EDITION
Kaitlyn Howard brings the ball down the court during practice.