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ROGERS — Basketball at the pri- vate-school level in Arkansas is similar to a box of chocolates. In any given year, nobody really knows what they are going to get. But for Providence Academy boys coach Austin Bivens, that's what keeps things interesting. "Playing in the independents, you don't always know what everybody is go- ing to have from year to year. It's kind of hit and miss," Bivens said. "But we have a good blend of international players and local kids. We have a great mixture, and the kids love it." The Patriots finished 12-12 last sea- son, defeating all of the Class 6A and 7A public schools that they faced — in- cluding victories over Springdale High and Bentonville West in 7A, as well as Russellville, Siloam Springs and Green- wood in the 6A ranks. The program has won multiple state championships in its division. P rovidence is part of the ever- expanding Heartland Christian Athletic Association, which includes more than 45 private schools throughout Arkan- sas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Kansas prep power Life Prep has joined the HCAA this season and has a starting five that ranges in height from 6-foot-2 to 6-9, Bivens said. "Our schedule consists of both public and private schools from all classifica- tions," Bivens explained. "And we can usually hold our own against the big- ger schools, but win or lose, playing the bigger competition hopefully makes us better." The Patriots will be without 6-9 Ni- gerian power forward SK Shittu, who graduated. He is now playing at Central Arkansas, after getting offers from the likes of LSU and Oklahoma. This season, Providence will rely heavily on Matis Sivins, a 6-foot-8 senior from Latvia who verbally committed to Arkansas, Fort Smith in November. Adam Philip is a two-year starter at guard, and has garnered several offers from schools like Hendrix, Taylor Uni- versity in Indiana, Cornell College and Colorado Christian. Coleman Wheeler is a stout power forward, who got a lot of playing time and experience last season behind Shit- tu. Riley Fox has been Providence's key defender for the past two seasons. "He wants to guard the best player, period," Bivens said. "He gives us about everything he has every time he steps on the court." Bivens admits that he does have some advantages that public schools don't. Al- though he feels the Patriots hold their own on the court, he doesn't see Prov- idence as a "basketball factory," like many other private schools around the country. "The kids we bring in are Christian and have to be able to handle our rigor- ous academics, and they have to pay to go to school here," he said. "We are able to get some pretty good players, but we are actually here for the kids." Bivens' wife of 22 years, Lisa, is the Providence girls coach and guided the Lady Pa- triots to the OCSSA Class 3A State Championship last season. They will look to repeat this season with returning senior Ha- ley Kate Webb, a Harding University signee, and last season's Northwest A r k a n s a s D e m o c r a t - G a z e t t e 's D i v i s i o n I I Player of the Year. O N L Y A R K A N S A S I N Member FDIC There's a lot to be proud of in Arkansas, but few things compare to seeing the hard work and accomplishments of players in our home state. Athletes, families, coaches and staff – we applaud your dedication. Thank you for giving us yet another reason to cheer for team Arkansas. f s b a n k . c o m • o n l y i n a r k . c o m CALLIN' THE HOGS all about Sunday, November 5, 2017 39 2017 Northwest Arkansas Basketball STEVE ANDREWS SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Providence turns to Sivins as its leader I N D E P E N D E N T S Webb "But we have a good blend of international players and local kids. We have a great mixture, and the kids love it." — Providence Academy head boys basketball coach Austin Bivens Questions about your newspaper? Call customer care at 1-800-641-6882