CLASS 7A BOYS Bulldogs need Baird to assist

By Rick Fires

Posted: November 8, 2009 at 6:13 a.m.

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SPRINGDALE — Bad news for players and coaches in the 7A-West Conference who thought they had seen the last of Shelton Baird.

The league’s scoring leader is back.

Baird returns to Springdale after averaging 25.8 points per game as a sophomore. Rumors persisted during the summer that Baird was moving with his father, who took a coaching job in Topeka, Kan.

Baird went as far as enrolling for classes at Highland Park High School, but then he had a change of heart and returned to Springdale to live with his mother.

“My decision to stay didn’t have anything to do with the old coach or the new coach at Springdale,” Baird said. “It was more about family stuff that was going on.

“I like it here at Springdale, and I like the progress this team is making.”

Springdale Coach Brad Stamps is certainly happy with Baird’s decision. Baird, 6-2, 210 pounds, is a prolific scorer at guard and a Division I college prospect with two years of eligibility remaining in high school.

He’ll be the centerpiece again for a Springdale team that finished 14-14 last year, including 5-9 in conference play.

“Beyond basketball, Shelton is a great kid,” said Stamps, who replaced Bill Taylor after Taylor took a coaching job at Class 3A Manila. “Still, it excites you as a coach when you have the best player in the league coming back. He wanted to be here, and his teammates wanted him back as well.”

Stamps hopes Baird can elevate his teammates this season after shouldering much of the scoring load last year. Baird often scored more than half of Springdale’s total points, and he had 28 against Fort Smith Southside in one game when no other Bulldog had more than five.

“I asked Shelton if it was moreimportant for him to average 25 points a game and finish sixth in the conference or average 17 points a game and compete for the conference championship,” Stamps said. “He said that winning was the most important thing to him and that he had no problem with being more of a playmaker this year.

“I was impressed with his answer. If it had been anything else, we would’ve gotten off to a rough start.”

Baird said he looks forward to his expanded role as a playmaker, especially with the scoring potential of some of his teammates. Senior forward T.J. Andrews is back after leaving the team last season, and 6-6 center Curtis Evans returns after finishing strong as a sophomore.

Sophomore Tony Dennis also will join the team at point guard and will help Baird distribute the ball.

“Curtis Evans is going to be a big-time player, and Tony Dennis coming in will help us a lot,” Baird said. “They’re going to free me up to where I don’t have so much attention drawn to me.”

Baird is nearing full recovery from a stress fracture on the left side of his pelvic bone. He was supposed to play AAU basketball with the Arkansas Wings over the summer, but the injury kept him idle for much of the time.

“I played in one tournament with the Wings, and that was it,” Baird said. “It was hard on me not doing anything because I like to work out five or six hours a day, but I’m ready to go now.

“I’m excited about the possibilities for our team this year.”At a glance NAME Shelton Baird SCHOOL Springdale CLASS Junior HEIGHT 6-2 POSITION Guard NOTEWORTHY Led Class 7A in scoring last season with a 25.8-point average.... Scored a season-high 38 points in a 65-53 victory over McDonald County, Mo. ... Shot 90 percent from the free-throw line last season.

Special, Pages 80 on 11/08/2009

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