Eagles Seek Turnaround

FORMER PLAYER RETURNS AS FAYETTEVILLE CHRISTIAN COACH

By Mimi Abebe

Posted: November 11, 2009 at 5:22 a.m.

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SPRINGDALE — Caleb Kovach is hoping his familiar ties to the Fayetteville Christian basketball program will help turn the Eagles around this season.

Kovach, who officially became the Eagles’ third coach in as many years on Monday, said there are plenty of things for Fayetteville Christian to be excited about this fall, including four returning starters.

Last season, the Eagles finished 6-22, an uncharacteristic season after winning the Class 1A state championship in 2007. Regardless, Kovach - who graduated from Fayetteville Christian in 2002 - is hopeful the Eagles can find some success early on and carry that to the postseason.

“The boys think they shouldn’t have been 6-22 last year,” said Kovach, whoseteam is already 1-4 this season. “They were a little inexperienced, but we had athletes. We expect nothing less than to win state this year. Our mindset is that we’re ready to win.”

With five seniors and two juniors, the Eagles will have plenty of depth on this year’s team, including players like Blake Riley and Jeremiah McLarty.

Riley, a 6-foot-2 forward, averaged 14.5 points a game last year while McLarty, a 5-6 point guard, is one of the conference’s best defenders, Kovach said.

Jasper, which went 16-10 last season and fi nishedsecond in the conference, is switching to a man-to-man defense this year with the hopes of it opening up some opportunities on o◊ense.

The Pirates have four returning players, including senior 6-foot-5 forward Trevor Willis, who averaged seven points and eight rebounds last year.

“We’re hopeful a guy like Trevor can get to doubledouble numbers this season, we need him to do that,” Jasper coach Jeff Lewis said. “Overall, we’re going to be competitive and play a fast-paced style. We really like our chances, that’s for sure.”

Sports, Pages 8 on 11/11/2009

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