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BOYS ALPENA LEOPARDS COACH Phillip Roberts CONFERENCE 1A-1 2018-19 RECORD 19-14, 8-4 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in first round of Class 1A Region 1 tournament to County Line. WHO'S BACK? PG Trevor Woodworth (Sr., 5-11) THE SCOOP The Leopards could be miss- ing Woodworth through the first few games of the season as he deals with a knee injury. He's expected to return Nov. 1 but could do it sooner. … Roberts said the Leopards will utilize a five-guard lineup that could be capable of scoring in a variety of ways. … A pair of 5-11 sophomores, Bryce Martin and Kolbe Hicks, may be starting this year, as well as 5-10 senior Peyton Johnson, 6-1 junior Nicholas Stone and 5-10 senior Brock Bolding.. … Roberts said he could use 9-10 players on an ideal night. COUNTY LINE INDIANS COACH Joe Brunson CONFERENCE 1A-4 2018-19 RECORD 31-6, 12-0 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in semifinals of Class 1A state tourna- ment to Izard County. W H O ' S B A C K ? P Mitchell Keezer (Sr., 6-4), G Caleb Robber- son (Sr., 5-10) THE SCOOP Keezer averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per game l a s t s e a s o n , w h i l e Robberson averaged 8 points per game and shot 37 percent from 3-point range. … Brunson likes what he sees from Josh Smith, a 5-11 senior for- ward who "shoots the ball well and works hard." … Others expected to contribute are Tyler Duggar, a 5-9 senior guard; Anthony Vaughn, a 5-10 junior guard, and Wyatt Lowery, a 6-0 junior forward. DEER ANTLERS COACH Adam Brothers CONFERENCE 1A-1 2018-19 RECORD 29-11, 11-1 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in semifinals of the Class 1A state tournament to Nevada. WHO'S BACK? F Avery Young (So., 6-3), G Keegan Middleton (So., 6-2), C Dale Dot- son (Jr., 6-1) THE SCOOP Brothers, the girls coach last season, takes over the boys team after Elvis Middleton resigned at the end of the season. … Young averaged 15 points per game last season, while Middleton averaged 12 per game. Dotson averaged 10 points per game, but missed half the season with back is- sues. … Landen Rhoades, a 6-3 sophomore transfer, averaged 20 points per game for Mount Judea last season. … Kieran Carey, a 5-foot-11 junior guard, is expected to con- tribute, as well as 5-11 junior guard Nate Spivey and 5-11 senior guard Isaiah Curtis. FUTURE SCHOOL ROCKETS COACH Eric King CONFERENCE 1A-4 2018-19 RECORD 12-13, 7-5 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost to Deer in the first round of the Class 1A Region 1 Tour- nament. WHO'S BACK? Jashon Smith (Sr., 6-1), Jeremiah Tabut (Sr., 5-11), Jaylon Mc- Cullough (Sr., 6-2), J.Q. King (Sr., 6-0) THE SCOOP This will be only the second year the Rockets are affiliated with the Ar- kansas Activities Association. … Future School finished as the 1A-4 District run- ner-up last year. … Smith became the Rock- ets' first all-state player after averaging 15 points and 6 rebounds last year, while Tabut averaged 8 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals per game and earned all-conference honors. … McCullough averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds per game, while King averaged 4 points per game. … Three more seniors — Damante Jordan, Semaj Branham and Drew Hubbard — are expected to contribute. … More help will come from three newcomers: 5-10 junior Amari Harris, 6-1 sophomore D.J. Williams and 5-4 sophomore Adrian Thompson. JASPER PIRATES COACH Mike Parker CONFERENCE 1A-1 2018-19 RECORD 29-12, 10-2 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in first round of Class 1A state tournament to Izard County. WHO'S BACK? F Caleb Carter (Sr., 6-3) THE SCOOP Parker comes to Jasper from Kingston and takes over for Steve Lynch, who announced his retirement after the end of last season. … Carter is the Pirates' lone returning starter and averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds per game last season. … Sam Parker, a junior guard, joins the team after playing for his father last year at Kingston. The younger Parker averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds per game. … Rounding out Jas- per's starting lineup are Logan Reynolds, a 6-4 post; Nick Larmier, a 5-10 point guard; and Mason Kellogg, a 5-11 shooting guard. KINGSTON YELLOWJACKETS COACH Pat Summers CONFERENCE 1A-1 2018-19 RECORD 12-22, 4-8 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost to The New School in 1A-1 District Tournament. WHO'S BACK? Information not provided THE SCOOP Summers, the girls coach last year, also assumes the boys coaching position after Mike Parker resigned to take over at Jasper. LEAD HILL TIGERS COACH Derek Rogers CONFERENCE 1A-2 2018-19 RECORD 4-34, 3-13 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in 1A-2 District Tournament WHO'S BACK? F Hunter Moore (Sr., 6-1), G Gavin Dickey (Sr., 5-10), G John Fulton (Jr., 6-0), F Titus Catron (Jr., 6-0), THE SCOOP Catron averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds per game, while Fulton add- ed 6 points and 7 rebounds per game. … Moore contributed an average of 4 points and 7 rebounds per game, while Dickey chipped in 4 points, 3 assists and 2 steals per game. … Cody Paul, a 6-1 sophomore guard, moves into the starting lineup af- ter averaging 17 points per game in junior high last season. … Eyan Sewell, a junior, adds depth as he was a part-time starter last year. … The Tigers could get help from William Mancinelli, a 5-8 sophomore guard who averaged 12 points per game in junior high; 6-3 sophomore post Dustin Turner and Max Carrell, a 5-9 junior guard who is an exchange student from France. MOUNT JUDEA EAGLES COACH Calvice Casey CONFERENCE 1A-1 2018-19 RECORD 1-23, 0-12 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost to Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy in the 1A-1 District Tournament, 62-52. WHO'S BACK? F/G Garrett Martin (Sr., 6-1), SF Dillon Richardson (Sr., 6-2) THE SCOOP This is Casey's first year as a coach as he was a student intern last year at Western Grove. … Martin and Richard- son will be joined by four juniors — Chase Campbell, who at 5-10 will run around in a number of roles; 6-4 post Landon Smith and 6-0 forward Devon Richardson. … Newcomers include sophomores Trenton Faught, a 6-1 guard; Tyler Smith, a 5-10 post; and 5-8 guard Matthew Cook, who may be the quickest player on the team. … Casey said his philosophy is centered around strong defense and a ball-motion offense capable of running the floor. ….. MULBERRY/PLEASANT VIEW YELLOWJACKETS COACH Zack Zajicek CONFERENCE 1A-4 2018-19 RECORD 12-16, 4-8 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost 48-36 to Future School in the 1A-4 District Tournament. WHO'S BACK? G Adam Hoyle (Sr., 5-11), F Joseph Lewis (Jr., 6-0), G Rick Reeves (Sr., 5-10), G John Wilmoth (Sr., 6-3) THE SCOOP Zajicek takes over as the Yellowjackets' coach this fall in place of Dexter Pearcy, who was at the school for four years. … G Kameron Keeling (Sr., 5-9) is expected to fill the fifth starting spot. … A trio of sophomores — 6-0 forward Tyler Williams, 6-2 forward Derrick Williams and 6-4 forward Ian Price — is expected to see playing time and contribute this season. THE NEW SCHOOL COUGARS COACH David Ferrell CONFERENCE 1A-1 2018-19 RECORD 28-9, 7-5 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in first round of Class 1A state tournament to Hillcrest, 62-53. WHO'S BACK? PG Chase Ammons (Sr., 6-0), G Jan Sturner (Sr., 6-3), P Tysen Bar- bour (Sr., 6-4), Ayden Barbour (Jr., 6-0) THE SCOOP The Cougars flourished in their first year as a AAA-affiliated school. … Ammons was the team's leading scorer and earned all-state honors with an average of 17.5 points per game. He also led the team in assists (168). … Sturner earned all-conference honors last season as he averaged 15 points per game, while Tysen Barbour was the inside threat and averaged 12 per game. … Ayden Barbour was a close second in assists with 152. … The Cougars, who had only eight players on their roster last season, have 15 this fall. Seven of them, however, are freshmen. NWA CLASSICAL ACADEMY SPARTANS COACH Darin Wallace CONFERENCE 1A-1 2018-19 RECORD 9-13, 2-10 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in 1A-1 District Tournament to Alpena, 68-31. WHO'S BACK? G Sandeep Dhillon (So., 5-10), G Gaggan Dhillon (Sr., 5-11), G Alex Richardson (Jr., 5-9). THE SCOOP This is the second season for the Spartans to be a AAA-affiliated school. … Caden Grubb and Aidan Looney, a pair of 5-11 juniors, will join the other three in the starting lineup. … The Spartans will try to counter a lack of size with an up-tempo environment and an aggressive defense. … This team is relatively young as fresh- men account for 8 of the 14 players on the roster. … NWA Classical Academy will host its inaugural invitational tournament in November. OMAHA EAGLES COACH Rocky Dodson CONFERENCE 1A-2 2018-19 RECORD 16-16, 10-6 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in 1A-2 District Tournament to Viola. WHO'S BACK? F Austin Isbell (Sr., 6-1), G Hunter Isbell (Sr., 5-9) THE SCOOP Austin Isbell was the Eagles' leading rebounder last year. … Joining the twin brothers in the Eagles starting lineup are PG Cade Anderson (Sr., 5-11), F William Deckelman (Sr., 5-9) and F Dalton Evans (Sr., 6-0). … Dodson said his team "will have to create tempo in order to be success- ful." … The Eagles hope to counter their lack of height by making things chaotic on the court. … Omaha hopes to get help from four sophomores: 6-2 post Levi Rogers, 6-3 forward Jayden Barber, 5-10 forward Ezra Hayes and 5-8 guard Landon Asbury. OARK HORNETS COACH Bill Ward CONFERENCE 1A-4 2018-19 RECORD 3-28, 0-12 PLAYOFF RESULTS None WHO'S BACK? Dawson Boen (Sr.), Thom- as Potts (Sr.) THE SCOOP Boen is back for his third year after averaging 15.5 points and 4.4 re- bounds per game and last season. … Potts was the team's second-leading rebounder with an average of 5.1 per game. SCRANTON ROCKETS COACH Tyler Hammers CONFERENCE 1A-4 2018-19 RECORD 12-21, 6-6 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost to Jasper in the Class 1A Region 1 Tournament. WHO'S BACK? G Cesar Rodriguez (Sr., 5-9), G Ethan West (Sr., 5-7) THE SCOOP Depth could become an issue with only eight players on the team roster this year. … Rodriguez averaged 17 points per game last season, while West averaged 10 points per game. … They will be joined in the starting lineup by Greg Kohler, a 5-10 senior guard who averaged 7 rebounds per game last season; Ryan Willems, a 6-1 ju- nior forward; and Buddy Terry, a 5-8 soph - omore guard. ST. PAUL SAINTS COACH David Dunlap CONFERENCE 1A-4 2018-19 RECORD 16-12, 8-4 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost to The New School in the Class 1A Region 1 Tourna- ment. WHO'S BACK? F Kris Watts (Sr., 6-3), G Wade Swafford (Sr., 5-9), G Ethan Stark (Jr., 5-8), G Chris Getz (Jr., 5-9) THE SCOOP Swafford was the team's leading scorer last year, averaging 13 points per game. He also averaged five rebounds per game. … Watts could be counted on for a double-double every game, averaging 10 points and 13 rebounds per game. … Stark and Getz both averaged 7 points and 3 assists per game, with Getz also having an average of 3 steals per game. … The Saints also expect production from Caleb McKenney, a 6-1 junior forward; Alex Flem- ing, a 5-7 senior guard, and Seth Haire, a 6-0 junior forward. … Stephen Gulledge, a 6-0 sophomore forward, joins the team after he was the leading scorer and rebounder from a junior high team that finished as the conference runner-up and won the confer- ence tournament. WESTERN GROVE WARRIORS COACH Josh Manes CONFERENCE 1A-2 2018-19 RECORD 27-12, 11-5 PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in first round of Class 1A state tournament to County Line, 66-39 WHO'S BACK? F Gage Freeman (Jr., 6-3), G Carson Parker (Sr., 5-10), and G Zack Bolin (Jr., 5-11) THE SCOOP Manes previously coached at Western Grove for six years, but returns at the school after a three-year hiatus where he was a coach at Harrison. … Bolin was one of three Warriors who averaged double digits last year, averaging 10.1 points per game. He also averaged 3.9 rebounds per game. … Freeman averaged 7.8 points and finished second on the team in rebounds with an average of 4.7 per game while Park- er averaged 8.5 points and almost 3 assists per game. … Manes expects contributions from the following players: Garrett Dixon, a 6-4 senior post; Blake Reddell, a 6-2 senior forward; Preston Savage, a 6-foot senior guard; Walker Robinson, a 6-5 junior post; and Marcus Bunch, a 6-1 sophomore for- ward. INDEPENDENTS HAAS HALL-ROGERS DANES COACH Zach Harrod CONFERENCE Independent (1A-1 West Conference beginning in 2020-21) 2018-19 RECORD N/A PLAYOFF RESULTS N/A WHO'S BACK? First-year program THE SCOOP The Danes are an indepen- dent team this season and will join the 1A-1 West Conference next season. … The Danes will have two seniors in the starting lineup. … Cooper Keese brings some experience to the team. … Harrod expects a pair of ninth-graders to be the building blocks of the program along with sophomore Lucas Webb. … Senior Cade Clark gives the Danes some inside length at 6-2. ….. LIFE WAY CHRISTIAN WARRIORS COACH Peter Ryan CONFERENCE Heartland Christian 2018-19 RECORD 20-12 PLAYOFF RESULTS None. WHO'S BACK? Reece Crowder (Sr., 6-2), Dawson Crowder (Jr., 6-2). THE SCOOP Life Way Christian is in its last year with the Heartland Conference. It joins the Arkansas Activities Association next year, where it will be a Class 2A school. … Ryan, a 2013 Life Way graduate, returns to his alma mater after being an assistant 46 Northwest Arkansas Basketball Sunday, November 3, 2019 C L A S S 1 A B A S K E T B A L L C A P S U L E S Brunson v Continued on next page