Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1310134
32 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS BASKETBALL | 11.22.2020 20 points per game as a senior. … The Wolverines are excited about Riley Buccino, who averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a junior. … Senior Evan White is back again after shooting 48 percent from 3-point range. The Wolverines went 3-7 while White was out with a concussion. … West is counting on contributions from sophomores Dawson Price, Tucker Anderson, and Tucker Bowman. FAYETTEVILLE BULLDOGS COACH Brad Stamps CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 20-9, 11-3 PLAYOFF RESULT Advanced to state semifinals; lost to Conway WHO'S BACK CJ WILLIAMS (Sr., 6-1), Landon Glasper (Sr., 6-0), Matthew Wayman (Sr., 6-4) THE SCOOP Brad Stamps is back for his second year as head coach of the Bulldogs, who advanced to the state semifinals before being eliminated by Conway. …. Fayetteville is led by guard CJ Williams, who was selected all-state as a junior. …. Fayetteville must fill a void at center following the transfer of 6-6 Tamaury Releford to Fort Smith Northside. FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE GRIZZLIES COACH Eric Burnett CONFERENCE 6A-Central 2019-20 RECORD 20-10, 9-5 WHO'S BACK? Jacob Joe (Sr., 6-1) PLAYOFF RESULT Northside lost in the state semifinals to Little Rock Central after winning the Class 6A state championship the previous year. THE SCHOOP Northside must replace four senior starters, including 6-10 center Jaylin Williams, who signed with Arkansas. … The Grizzlies will rely on senior guard Jacob Joe, the younger brother of former Arkansas standout Isaiah Joe. …. Northside will benefit by the presence of 6-6 forward Tamaury Releford and 6-1 guard Isaiah Releford, who transferred from Fayetteville. FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE MAVERICKS COACH Stewart Adams CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 5-23, 0-14 PLAYOFF RESULT Did not qualify for state tournament WHO'S BACK? C Josh Merrell (Sr., 6-5), C Tristan Lane (Sr., 6-4), G Caiden LaRoche (Sr., 6-2). THE SCOOP Stewart Adams begins his second season as coach of the Mavericks, who return to the 6A-West Conference after going 0-14 last year in the 6A-Central …. Southside returns one starter in 6-5 senior Josh Merrell, who averaged 5.3 points per game. …. Southside expects increased production from guard Caiden LaRoche and Tristan Lane, a 6-4 post player. ….. Juniors Ki Kolls and Xander Naegle will receive increased minutes. …. Sophomores Yazed Rodriguez and Levi Steele are newcomers to watch for the Mavericks. ROGERS HIGH MOUNTAINEERS COACH Lamont Frazier CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 21-5, 10-4 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in first round of state tournament WHO'S BACK? Will Liddell (Jr., 6-1), Tye Cunningham (Soph., 5-10), Karsen Uecker (Sr., 6-2), Van Rhame (Sr., 6-6), CJ Herman (Jr., 6-2), Joel Garner (Jr., 6-2), Joel Garner (Jr., 6-5), Collin Chrisman (Sr., 6-2). THE SCOOP Rogers returns several players with experience, led by all-conference guard Will Liddell. … Sophomores Alonzo Porchia and Nick Quinn are newcomers to keep an eye on. …. Freshman Rex Krout could see playing time at guard or forward for the Mounties. ROGERS HERITAGE WAR EAGLES COACH Tom Olsen CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 9-17, 2-12 PLAYOFF RESULT Did not qualify for state tournament WHO'S BACK? Kyle Ingram (Sr., 6-4), Micah Hill (Jr., 6-3), Jaden Torres (Jr., 6-0). THE SCOOP Ingram is a two-year starter at forward who averaged 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds last season for the War Eagles. … Hill started as a sophomore and averaged 10 points per game. … Torres finished last season at point guard and had almost a 2-1 assist to turnover ration. …. Heritage is a big year from Ian McChristian, a 6-2 junior forward who Olsen says is a great athlete who finishes plays about the rim. … Olsen also expects major contribution from Lucas Sarratt, a 6-4 junior forward. SPRINGDALE HAR-BER WILDCATS COACH Tommy Deffebaugh CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 22-5, 12-2 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in overtime to Little Rock Central first round of state tournament WHO'S BACK? Jermaine Tilford (Jr., 6-6), Elijah Woodard (Sr., 6-8), Noah Livingston (Sr., 6-5), Garrett Nerenberg (Sr., 6-4), Aaron Oliger (Sr., 5-9), Miles Rolfe (Jr., 6-0). THE SCOOP Har-Ber is coming off one of its best seasons after winning the 6A-West Conference championship with a 12-2 record and finishing 22-5 overall. …. The Wildcats have plenty of size, but short on experienced players …. Har-Ber must replace all five starters, including 6-7 Lawson Jenkins, who signed with Missouri Southern after leading the Wildcats in scoring for two years. …. Point guard Nick Buchanan signed with Evangel (Mo.) College. SPRINGDALE HIGH BULLDOGS COACH Jeremy Price CONFERENCE 6A-West 2019-20 RECORD 10-15, 3-11 PLAYOFF RESULT Did not make the playoffs WHO'S BACK? Damanique Hertin (Sr., 5-9), Chris Elkar (Sr., 5-10), Marty Jelkan (Sr., 5-10). THE SCOOP Springdale will rely heavily on guard Damanique Hertin, who started every game at point guard as a junior. … Hertin was second in assist and points scored last season and led the team in 3-point percentage. … Elkar is a strong defender on the perimeter who'll likely be assigned to opponents' best scoring guard each game. …. Jelkan is a top newcomer to watch after playing with the Springdale junior varsity last season. File photo/NWA Democrat-Gazette Bentonville guard Thane Spencer goes over a Fayetteville defender for a layup during the 2019-20 season. Spencer is a two-year letterman who averaged 6.9 points and shot 56 percent from the field last season. The Tigers will be a contender for the 6A-West Conference championship with 10 of their top 12 players back this season. 6A Capsules n Continued from Page 31