Rice Accepts Inside Job For Har-Ber Wildcats

Alex Rice leads Springdale Har-Ber in scoring and rebounding while battling some of the top post players in the area.

Alex Rice leads Springdale Har-Ber in scoring and rebounding while battling some of the top post players in the area.

Friday, January 18, 2013

— By Rick Fires

[email protected]

SPRINGDALE — Alex Rice has a lot of responsibility as a senior leader for Springdale Har-Ber.

Rice is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Wildcats and, because he’s the tallest player on the team, he’s often matched inside against the top post players in the 7A/6A-West Conference.

PROFILE

Alex Rice

SCHOOL: Springdale Har-Ber

CLASS: Senior

POSITION: Center

HEIGHT: 6-6

WEIGHT: 200

NOTABLE: Leads Har-Ber with 16 points and 6 rebounds per game. ... Shoots 62 percent from the field (81 of 129) and 72.4 percent (84 of 116) from the free-throw line. ... Saw varsity action as a sophomore before becoming a full-time starter as junior. ... A good student who enjoys math, marketing, and economics.

That list includes three players who’ve already signed NCAA Division I scholarships: 6-foot-10 Tyler McCullough of Fayetteville (Missouri State), 6-8 Payton Henson of Siloam Springs (Tulane), and 6-8 Nick Smith of Bentonville (Belmont).

Rice faces the bigger guys each game without complaint although at 6-6, 200 pounds, he’s more suited for a forward position.

“I’ve been in the league three years and I’ve never seen so many good post players,” said Rice, who added 20 pounds during the offseason to prepare for the challenge. “It’s a battle every night.”

Rice has mostly held his own this season for Har-Ber (6-12, 1-3 7A/6A-West), which plays Rogers Heritage (9-7, 0-4) tonight at Wildcat Arena. Rice is averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds per game while shooting 62 percent from the field. He also shoots 72 percent from the free-throw line.

“Alex is one of the most impressive players I’ve been around in regard to his physical stature and basketball IQ,” Har-Ber coach Adam Simmons said. “He’s a sharp kid and a leader who’s been through the fire in this league. You never have to worry about Alex because he’s going to do things right.”

Rice has maintained his competitive edge despite being slowed recently by the flu. He played against Van Buren and Springdale High, and expects to see action tonight in a conference game that could help decide which six teams advance to the state tournament.

Har-Ber and Van Buren are both 1-3 in the league, while Rogers and Rogers Heritage are each 0-4.

“I’ve had trouble running up and down the court at times, but I’m going to try and play,” Rice said after he missed practice Wednesday. “It’s an important game and if we can get to 2-3 (in the league) with a win, it’ll be a big help. We’re coming off a loss at Springdale, but we can’t let that get us down. We need to win and keep it going for the second half of the season.”

Rice said he’s still optimistic about the rest of the season despite Har-Ber’s 6-12 record. The Wildcats have lost some close games, including 53-51 to Willard, Mo., and 48-46 to Lake Hamilton.

“Those were two buzzer-beaters that we could have won,” said Rice, who also started as a junior for the Wildcats. “It can be hard when you’re losing, but you have to come to practice every day with a good attitude and ready to work. We know we’re just a couple of plays from being .500.”

Rice is unsure whether he’ll continue to play basketball after high school. He’s received some interest from junior colleges and Division III schools, but he’s also a standout student who carried a 4.0 grade point average last semester.

“You have to know what your priorities are, and with me it’s school first and basketball second,” Rice said. “I’d like to play basketball in college if the right situation comes along, but getting an education and having good grades is what takes you far in life.”