Page 21 - 2018 TR Basketball Preview

SUNDAY OCTOBER 28 2018 | THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASKETBALL PREVIEW THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASKETBALL PREVIEW | SUNDAY OCTOBER 28 2018 IN HIS BLOOD
21SS
BY MARK BUFFALO
Photos by Staci Vandagriff
W W ill ill Sitkowski Sitkowski wants to to lead the the the the Southside Batesville Southerners even further this season Sitkowski who is the ree Rivers Edition Boys Basketball
Player to Watch helped the Southerners to to one of the the best seasons in school history a a a year ago as as they finished 29-6 and advanced to the the the semifinals of the the the Class 4A State Tournament Southside lost to Jonesboro Westside 59-57 “We expect to go out there and win ” Sitkowski said e e e e e e e e Southerners were a a a a a a junior-laden team a a a a a a year ago but several players moved leaving Sitkowski as the team leader “He’s been a a a a a really good player for us the past two years ” Southside coach Brad McGhee said “He’s been a a a a a a starting guard for us since his sophomore season ” McGhee said he he expects big things from Sitkowski this season “He’s very quick and and a a a a a good ball
handler ” McGhee said “He “He can handle defensive pressure ” Sitkowski averaged 10 points and 4 assists per game last year “I’m expecting an even better season out of him ” McGhee said “Not that he had a a a a a a a a a a bad season last last year year but last last year year we we were really good and and had a a a a a lot of guys who scored His scoring and and his number of shot attempts are going to increase ” Sitkowski is the son of former Fayetteville High School and University of Central Arkansas star George Sitkowski who is the Southside athletic director Will Sitkowski knows basketball is in his blood “I’ve been playing basketball forever ” he said “Dad was a a a a a a a good ballplayer ” Will Sitkowski said he he is good at getting by a a a defender when driving to the basket “ ere is probably nothing better than getting by a a a defender then scoring ” he he said “I’m pretty good at drawing defenders and kicking to the open guy I’m also good at shooting and getting around defenders and being able to make the the right play at the the right time ” Sitkowski said he he also takes pleasure in in taking charges on the defensive end of the floor “I’m good at staying in in in in front of people and also being in in in in the right place to take charges ” he said And leadership is is one of his strengths DAVONTE DAVIS
JACKSONVILLE TITANS
• Junior
• Averaged 18 4 ppg 8 8 apg
7 rpg 2 spg at Jacksonville Lighthouse Academy
“I’m also good at keeping everything together ” Sitkowski said “If someone is about to do something stupid I’ll lead them down the right path get our team back on track if something is going wrong ” McGhee said Sitkowski has put in hard work to get better “He’s “He’s worked tremendously hard ” McGhee said “He’s “He’s put in a lot of time working
on his shooting He’s gotten now where he he can can really shoot the basketball He can can score on drives He He can get to the basket because of his quickness He He also now has the the ability to shoot a a a a high percentage from the the 3-point line ” McGhee said Sitkowski is one of the team’s best defenders “He has good quickness and and is gritty and and tough and not afraid to to step over in front of people using his body ” McGhee said “ at is is definitely one of his good assets He can get down and guard some of the quickest guys we play ” For the first time Sitkowski is play- ing ing tackle football lining up at receiver and defensive back for the the Southerners football team “A lot of my buddies have been encouraging me ” he said “ e e e e coach said I I could come out and thought I’d be pretty good ” Sitkowski said he he enjoys playing on on the gridiron “It’s been great ” he he said “ “ e e e e e e e atmosphere of football is just so good It’s crazy I I I really wish I I I had done it sooner ” Southside football coach Kenny Simpson said Sitkowski has been “phenomenal” in in his time playing football “What’s better than that that is that that he’s a a a a a a a great kid ” Simpson said “He has a a a a a a great work ethic He He asks what he can do to get better e e e e e e e e e e e e e results speak for themselves He’s gotten better every game By the the end of the the year he he he may be really dangerous ” While he’s enjoying football Sitkowski said he he knows his future is on the hardwood He said he’d like to play at UCA but knows that is a a long shot “ “ at is where I I really want to go go ” he he said “I’ve got an an offer from Lyon College I’m about to start sending out out my highlight film to to different colleges and getting in in touch with their coaches “My dream is to get my education paid for ” OFF THE BENCH: BOYS
Watch for these outstanding ree Rivers Edition players JUSTUS COOPER
IZARD COUNTY CONSOLIDATED COUGARS
• Junior
• Averaged 24 ppg 15 rpg 5 bpg 2 apg
BOMANI ROBERSON
TUCKERMAN BULLDOGS
• Senior
• Averaged 16 ppg 6 6 rpg 4 apg
1 7 spg Southerners guard is a a a a leader on the the hardwood