Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1310134
38 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS BASKETBALL | 11.22.2020 BOYS BERGMAN PANTHERS HEAD COACH Bo Martin CONFERENCE 3A-1 2019-20 RECORD 31-9 WHO'S BACK? Elijah Royce (Sr., 6-4), Asher Fultz (Sr., 6-2), Anthony Hodge (Sr., 6-3), Kaden Henson (Jr., 6-0), Marcus Bryant (Jr., 5-10), Trevor Little (Sr., 6-2). THE SCOOP Royce is back after averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds a game a season ago, earning him all-state honors. … Fultz averaged nine points per game last season. … Program made it to the state tournament a season ago. … A pair of sophomores Walker Patton and Mingo Kennedy will look to make an impact right away. BOONEVILLE BEARCATS HEAD COACH Ronnie Denton CONFERENCE 3A-4 2019-20 RECORD 15-13 WHO'S BACK? Jacob Herrera (Sr., 6-2), Evan Escabedo (Jr., 5-9), Mason Goers (Jr., 6-2), Austin Hill (Sr., 5-10), Blake Jones (Sr., 5-9) THE SCOOP Jacob Herrera returns after leading the team in scoring as junior with 12 points per game. … Blake Jones and Austin Hill provided seven points per game a season ago for the Bearcats. … Mason Goers stepped up as a sophomore last year, averaging seven points per game as well. CEDARVILLE PIRATES HEAD COACH Frank Cluck CONFERENCE 3A-4 2019-20 RECORD 10-18 WHO'S BACK? Darryl Kattich (Sr., 6-2), Austin Swaim (Sr., 5-9), Caleb Franklin (Sr., 5-10), Connor Templeton (Sr., 5-10), Tommy Metcalf (Sr., 6-0), Austin Cluck (Sr., 6-1), Dylan Cluck (Sr., 6-3), Hayden Morton (So., 5-9), Lane Hightower (So., 6-1), Bradlee Blankenship (So., 6-2) THE SCOOP Frank Cluck enters his first year with the program and jumps back in coaching for the first time since 2004. … Kattich earned all-conference honors last year after averaging 14 points, five rebounds and 2 assists per game. … Swaim a season ago scored 10 points per game. … Transfers in Austin Cluck and Dylan Cluck along with newcomers Morton, Hightower and Blankenship are looking to make an impact. CHARLESTON TIGERS HEAD COACH B.J. Ross CONFERENCE 3A-4 2019-20 RECORD 16-9 WHO'S BACK? Brandon Scott (So., 6-0), Trenton Goodson (Sr., 6-4), Dalton Curtis (Sr., 6-0), Ransom Merechka (Jr., 5-10), Brevyn Ketter (So., 6-0), Bryton Ketter (So., 5-8), Sebastian Gaona (So., 5-11). THE SCOOP Program lost quite a few seniors, including their leading scorer from a year ago in Brayden Ross. He averaged about 25 points per game and the team will now look to make up that offense. … Scott and Goodson return as starters from last year's team. … Athletic sophomore class will look to make an impact right away. Could see up to six sophomores see play. … Coach Ross: "This is going to be a fun year. We are going to win games we weren't supposed to but also lose games we weren't supposed to. Each night will be different." … Coach Ross said he loves the effort the team plays at. ELKINS ELKS HEAD COACH Jared Porter CONFERENCE 3A-1 2019-20 RECORD 29-5 WHO'S BACK? Kain Johnson (Sr., 5-11), Aiden Underdown (Jr., 6-5), Josh Allan (Sr., 5-10), Braedon Welch (Jr., 5-11), Jeremiah Shackelford (Jr., 6-2), Elijah Graham (Jr., 6-1) THE SCOOP Elkins returns just one starter in Johnson from last season's school record in wins season, but Elks hope to be just reloading after winning the district tournament and making the second round of the state tournament last season. … Johnson, who earned all-state honors, averaged 12 points and five assists per game. … Underdown had six points per game as sixth man and will now be a starter. CLASS 3A TEAM CAPSULES BY HAROLD MCILVAN II See 3A CAPSULES, Page 40 Elijah Royce returns for his senior season at Bergman, where the 6-foot-6 post earned all-state honors last season and gives the Panthers a consistent threat to turn in a double-double in any given game after doing it the past two seasons. People in Northwest Arkansas could see more of Royce this year since Bergman has moved to the 3A-1 West Conference. File photo/NWA Democrat-Gazette