League Appears Even

COACHES SEE PLENTY OF PARITY

By Alex Abrams

Posted: November 12, 2009 at 4:47 a.m.

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FAYETTEVILLE — Greenland coach Jared Gobel described his team’s style of play as “opportunistic,” which is his way of saying the Pirates will run the fast break if given the chance.

Elkins coach Nate Smith, meanwhile, is counting on his Elks playing an up-tempo brand of basketball in which their pressure defense creates offensive opportunities.

While their philosophies overlap in ways, Gobel and Smith are in complete agreement when it comes to how the 3A-1 West Conference shapes up for the upcoming season. There’s plenty of parity and no clear-cut favorite.

“It looks like it can be wide open,” Gobel said. “I don’t see anyone that’s just going to be head and shoulders better than everybody, but it looks like it can be real even.”

And while Elkins is coming off its first conference championship since 1987 and returns three starters — including standout guard Lee Holmes Jr. — Smith admitted the 3A-1 West Conference is open for the taking.

“A lot of the teams that were at the top last year lost some key seniors. We did as well,” Smith said. “... So it’s sort of really opened up for anybody to get a chance to get a conference championship this year, that’s for sure.”

At least it should make for an interesting race.

Gobel said he expects Greenland to look relatively the same offensively with the return of its starting backcourt. But the Pirates have some noticeable holes to fill in the paint after losing two post players from a team that went 18-11 and advanced to the second round of Class 3A state tournament.

“We’ve lost a lot of skill positions from last year. I’m going to have to have some young kids step up,” Gobel said. “I’ve got some juniors that haven’t played a lot that are going to have some opportunities.”

A short drive away, Elkins also returns a pair of starting guards. Holmes Jr. was named to the 3A-1 West all-conference team last season after averaging 13 points per game, and unlike in years past, he should have more help off the bench.

Smith said the Elks will get a boost from a crop of talented sophomores, and the added depth will allow them to pressure more on defense and run a more up-tempo offense.

“There’s a lot of talent coming up,” Smith said. “So I’ve got a lot of young guys that I’m going to rely on and sort of help take the load off (the older players) and help us have a successful season.”

And considering how wide open the conference appears to be, it should make for an interesting season. Gobel and Smith can agree on that.

3A-1 West Conference

Boys

Cedarville

Mountainburg

Elkins

Lincoln

Green Forest

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