Woodland, Central Meet In Pivotal Junior High Game
Posted: November 30, 2009 at 4:39 a.m.
SPRINGDALE — No Northwest Arkansas Conference team can match up with the size of Fayetteville Woodland, but Springdale Central probably comes closest.
Woodland (3-0, 0-0 NWAC) and Central (3-1, 0-1) face off tonight in a pivotal conference game in Springdale.
Woodland has four players 6-foot-4 or taller, and coach Jeff Boogaart said the Cowboys go 10 deep. Tyler McCullough leads the potent Woodland inside attack at 6-7 while Caleb Waitsman and Brandon McCall are both 6-4.
“Not only is our size an advantage inside, but our guards are 6-1, 6-2,” Boogaart said. “That gives us a wing span all over the court.”
Boogaart said he didn’t know if he would go with all his big players tonight, however.
“We don’t have starters; we have 10 guys,” Boogaart said. “We have used different lineups in our three games and we will probably have a different lineup (tonight).”
Central will counter with 6-4 post Alex Rice and 6-3 post-forward Nick Byrne. Rice is averaging 15 points a game.
“We work inside-out,” said Central coach Van Stewman. “(Rice) is a 6-4 post with great touch and finesse around the basket. We have six guys that can play post. They are all effective and play well. Nobody completely matches up with Woodland but we are as big as anybody else in the conference.”
Three-year player Tucker Lee keys the Central attack at point guard.
“(Lee) is real strong and never turns the ball over,” Stewman said. “He is one of the most solid guards in the conference.”
Woodland started the year with three wins at the Bentonville Cat Classic where the Cowboys defeated two league opponents. But Boogaart said tonight’s game will be Woodland’s biggest challenge to date because both Bentonville teams were without starters at the Cat Classic.
“They (Central) are very well coached and are very athletic,” Boogaart said. “They won the Popeye (tournament) and they have a three-year starter (Lee) at point guard. They will be tough to beat and it’s always tough to play at Central.”
Stewman tabs Woodland as the team to beat.
“Woodland should be considered the favorite to win conference with their size, skill and athleticism,” Stewman said. “The conference (race) is going to be very tough this year.”
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