Bentonville Tigers Young, But Cohesive

Team Will Be Molded Around Pair Of Seniors To Start For Third Consecutive Year

Nick Smith, Bentonville, shoots over Bryant’s Zach Cambron during the game Feb. 29 in the state 7A basketball tournment at Cabot High School.

Nick Smith, Bentonville, shoots over Bryant’s Zach Cambron during the game Feb. 29 in the state 7A basketball tournment at Cabot High School.

Monday, November 12, 2012

— While Bentonville’s boys basketball players took part in offseason workouts, coach Jason McMahan couldn’t get his mind off how well they played together.

It’s a trait McMahan wants to continue throughout the season, which begins Thursday with a home nonconference game against Stilwell, Okla.

“Our team has definitely changed and, in a lot of ways, for the better,” McMahan said. “I think this group has been the best cohesive team we’ve had. I’m proud of how they have played together and sacrificed things and improved as a team instead of individuals.”

The Tigers will be molded around a pair of seniors who will start for the third consecutive season. Nick Smith, a 6-foot-8 forward, was the 7A-West Conference’s player of the year after he averaged a double-double last season, and Austin Heard, a 6-2 guard, was the team’s second-leading scorer.

Senior point guard Austin Haggard gives Bentonville a third returning starter, but he won’t be available until football season is completed. Meanwhile, a bumper crop of new, younger faces have entered the picture.

“Most people I talk to say ‘You’re going to be great. You have Nick and Austin Heard back,’” McMahan said. “Yeah, that’s two, then there’s Austin Haggard, so that’s three.

“We’re counting on those three because they bring a lot of leadership and experience, but we have a lot of new guys that are sprinkled in. Some may be older, but they haven’t played much, like Johnny Drechny.”

The rest of the team will be much younger, with half the players on the Tigers’ 24-man roster being sophomores. It also includes 5-11 guard Tyrik Dixon, who makes the most of the new Arkansas Activities Association rule which allows Class 7A schools to use freshmen.

Dixon could see time at guard, and junior Ryan Sanchez will greatly help out while Haggard remains on the football team. Zack Estrada, a sophomore guard, could see time as well because of his defensive play, and McMahan sees good things from 6-2 sophomore Daniel Head, who is possibly the Tigers’ best defender and can guard inside or outside.

“Everything is still wide-open, and we’re going to mix and match,” McMahan said. “The good thing is those players have an opportunity while Austin is still over there to accelerate and compete for a spot.”

Bentonville sports one of its taller teams, with six players 6-4 or taller, but many of those players are younger ones. McMahan said he may have “one of the taller junior varsity teams” in the area this season.

Meanwhile, the inexperience does raise a concern with how well the Tigers can battle on the boards against other teams.

“One of my biggest concerns is can we rebound as well as we have done in the past,” McMahan said. “I’m not sure we have as much rebounding.

“Last year, we played 30 games, and in 27 games we outrebounded our opponents. That will be a challenge to us, I think.”

2012-13 Basketball Schedule

Bentonville Tigers

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 15 Stilwell, Okla. 4 p.m.

Nov. 19 at Alma 5:30 p.m.

"-" Citizens Banks Classic, Van Buren

Nov. 27 Shiloh Christian 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 or 29 Fort Smith Southside or Charleston TBD

Dec. 1 TBD TBD

Dec. 4 at Gravette 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11 Webb City, Mo. 6 p.m.

Dec. 13 at Greenwood 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Clarksville 6 p.m.

Dec. 15 vs. Forrest City# 1:40 p.m.

Dec. 20 at Pea Ridge 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 26-29 Neosho Holiday Classic TBD

Jan. 4 Van Buren* 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 8 at Springdale Har-Ber* 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 11 at Rogers Heritage* 3:30 p.m.

Jan. 15 Rogers High* 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 18 at Siloam Springs* 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 Springdale High* 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 25 at Fayetteville* 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 1 at Van Buren* 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 5 Springdale Har-Ber* 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 8 Rogers Heritage* 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 12 at Rogers High* 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 15 Siloam Springs* 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 19 at Springdale High* 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 22 Fayetteville* 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 26- Class 7A State Tournament TBD

March 2

"*" — 7A/6A-West conference game

"#" — Arkansas Hoops Challenge at Maumelle