Greenwood mines football field for talent

By Marty Cook

Posted: November 8, 2009 at 5:46 a.m.

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LITTLE ROCK — Brian Martin did some of his best work as Greenwood’s basketball coach well before the first ball was bounced at practice.

Martin, who was named head coach this past off-season, convinced several of the school’s top athletes to return to the court to play this year for Greenwood. Football standouts Spencer Harris, Tony Sandifer, Tyler Shook and Kyle Helms are among those who will help Martin try to reverse Greenwood’s basketball fortunes.

“Getting them out is half the battle,” Martin said. “They want to win, and they want to compete. We can be a good team without those kids, but we have a chance to be a really good team with them.

“For us to be successful, we had to go get the kids who weren’t playing and get them to play. Greenwood isn’t big enough to not share athletes.”

Greenwood was last in the 5AWest Conference last year, finishing 9-17 overall and 1-13 in league play. Martin, a former Greenwood standout, said it will take more than an infusion of talentto resurrect the Bulldogs.

“We’re trying to emphasize having a winning attitude, an enthusiasm for basketball,” Martin said. “I’ve seen it happen here before. Ten to 12 years ago it was a really good basketball program.”

Martin replaces Derek Harrell, who coached the Bulldogs for three years. Martin led Beebe to the state tournament last year, his second at the school.

Martin said the Bulldogs will be inexperienced this year with only one returning starter, guard Brandon Brewer, but the team should have plenty of athleticism.

“It’s very important for us to get back to the state tournament and compete for a state championship,” Martin said. “We got there in the past. There’s no reason we can’t get there now.”

Getting to the state tournament wasn’t a problem for Alma last year. The problem was playing well once it got there. The Airedales won the conference but were upset in the first round byCamden Fairview on their home court.

“We just didn’t play well,” Alma Coach Stan Flenor said. “One of our goals is to get backto the state tournament.”

The Airedales have the talent to do that, led by standout guard Isaac McCoy, who averaged 20 points a game. He will be helped by 6-4 senior Mikai Williams and 6-3 guard Brandon Wilson.

“We have a couple of really good pieces coming back,” Flenor said. “The conference is going to be good from top to bottom. Last year people didn’t see us coming.”

Siloam Springs reached thesemifinals of the state tournament but returns only one starter, junior Kyle Teague, and has a new coach in former Rose Bud Coach Johnny Taylor. The Panthers have two returners, Dylan Henson and Justin Gray, who played quality minutes but didn’t start last season.

“We’re hoping those three can provide some leadership,” Taylor said.

Harrison missed the playoffs last year because of a tiebreaker,and the Goblins hope to leave no doubt this year. Harrison will be led by 6-5 junior forward John Colliver and a host of guards led by Lucas Collins.

“We have visions of winning the 5A-West,” Harrison Coach David Stahler said. “The expectations are always high for the Goblins, but it’ll be a very tough task indeed.”

Morrilton could be a contender for a high finish after finishing 17-9, 7-4 last year. The Devil Dogs will be led by 6-4 senior Adam Rasheed, who averaged 11 points and five rebounds, and senior guard Trevor Payne.

Greenbrier could have one of the state’s top sophomores in 6-1 guard Neal Burcham, who is a standout quarterback for the Panthers’ football team. Senior forward Shane Murray and senior guard Trevor Thomas are returners with starting experience.

Central Arkansas Christian, which reached the quarterfinals last year, has a new coach in Rick Beene, whose son Nathan will provide a scoring punch as a 6-1 junior guard. Senior forwards Chase Cain and Ryan Lamberson combined for 13 points a game last year.

Vilonia is in a rebuilding mode after finishing sixth in the conference a year. The Eagles return no starters.

Special, Pages 86 on 11/08/2009

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