SPRINGDALE — DaShaun Stark grew tired of watching Springdale High teammate Treshawn Gause struggle to defend Rogers High’s point guard during a game last week.
So, Stark had a few words for Gause before Springdale boys basketball coach Brad Stamps had a chance to say something.
Profile
DaShaun Stark
SCHOOL: Springdale High
CLASS: Senior
HEIGHT: 6-5
WEIGHT: 175
NOTABLE: Has gone from a role player last season to a team captain and go-to scorer for Springdale, averaging 14.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. ... Gained 10 pounds in the offseason, but lost five pounds after coming down with Mononucleosis right before Thanksgiving. ... Has received interest from NCAA Division I mid-major schools, including Southern Illinois, and Division II schools, such as Arkansas Tech and Arkansas Fort-Smith.
Stark recalled Wednesday how he got in Gause’s face, bumped him and asked the sophomore, “Can you not guard him?” When Gause stressed that he was capable of defending the Rogers point guard, Stark responded, “Well, you haven’t guard him all game.”
It didn’t matter that Springdale led by 15 points at halftime and cruised to a 79-49 win over Rogers in its 7A/6A-West Conference opener. Now that he’s a senior, Stark has assumed the leadership role he has waited for since his sophomore season with the Bulldogs.
“I felt like I couldn’t say everything I wanted to just because some of the personalities we had, it would kind of clash and I didn’t want to start anything,” Stark said in explaining his more low-key demeanor over the past two seasons.
“I just wanted to keep it smooth and everything, but this year I know they look up to me and they listen to what I say. So, I can say everything because they know I’m just trying to get the best out of them.”
A year ago, Stark was more of a role player for Springdale. He made an impression by grabbing rebounds, playing defense and doing the intangibles on the floor, but he took a back seat while letting his older teammates handle the bulk of the scoring.
However, Stamps spoke to Stark after last season about being more assertive now that he’s no longer an underclassmen. The 6-foot-5, 175-pound senior took his coach’s advice, and Stark has proven to be a match-up problem for opposing teams and a versatile player for the Bulldogs (10-5, 2-0 7A/6A-West) during their surprising start to the season.
They hope to keep it going at 7:30 p.m. tonight when they play a game at Siloam Springs.
“Offensively, he can do so many different things for us,” Stamps said of Stark. “He can handle the basketball. He can shoot the basketball, and he’s a rebounder. And when you throw that combination into the mix, it makes it tough for other teams to match up with him.”
A bout with Mononucleosis has been one of the few things to slow down Stark this season, though he has gradually gotten over the viral infection since late November.
With his length and high basketball IQ, Stark has played anywhere from point guard to small forward this season. He finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in Tuesday’s 60-47 win at Rogers Heritage, and he’s averaging 14.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game this season.
Stark admitted he has gained more confidence in himself and welcomed his new role as a scorer. College basketball coaches, including those from Southern Illinois, Arkansas Tech and Arkansas-Fort Smith, have taken notice and expressed interest in signing him.
“I feel like I didn’t hardly take any shots last year,” Stark said. “And this year when I step on the floor, I don’t feel like that many people can guard me no matter who we’re playing.”