PLAYERS TO WATCH TYRIK DIXON SCHOOL: Bentonville CLASS: Sophomore HEIGHT: 6-1 POSITION: Point guard THE SKINNY: Dixon earned valuable experience last season, when he became one of three freshmen in the conference to see varsity action. He started almost every game, and now teams with Malik Monk to provide the Tigers with a dangerous tandem in the backcourt.

He is the Tigers’ second-leading scorer with 14.8 points per game, and also averages 4.4 rebounds and two assists per game. He has good 3-point accuracy, but is also fearless when driving to the bucket against bigger players.

SCOUTING REPORT: “He’s a big-time talent, and he’s just going to get better. He has such quickness, then he’s able to shoot as well as slash to the basket. I’m sure he’s picked up his game this year, and with him and Monk, that’s a big-time one-two punch Bentonville has.” TEREKE ECKWOOD SCHOOL: Springdale High CLASS: Junior HEIGHT: 5-9 POSITION: Point guard THE SKINNY: He’s simply the catalyst and the person that makes the Red’Dogs go this season. He’s already made great strides from last season, when he was named the Big 7 Newcomer of the Year by NWA Media. He’s increased his offensive output to 16 points and 4.5 assists per game this season, and his style of play has already attracted NCAA Division II schools like Arkansas Tech and Arkansas-Fort Smith.

SCOUTING REPORT: “He would probably be the most valuable player to his team with all that he does. He’s an athlete, and he understands the game. When’s he doing well, he will make Springdale one of the top teams in the state.” CRIST OLSEN SCHOOL: Rogers Heritage CLASS: Senior HEIGHT: 6-0 POSITION: Guard THE SKINNY: He’s the son of coach Tom Olsen and a two-year starter for the War Eagles. He enters conference play averaging more than 14 points per game, while also averaging two rebounds, one assist and one steal. His 3-point accuracy (39 percent) for the season is almost as good as his overall fi eldgoal shooting (41 percent), and he’s not a person opponents want to see at the free-throw line, where he hits 87 percent of his attempts.

SCOUTING REPORT: “As a coach’s son, he’s grown up with the game and knows how it should be played.

He’s so heady, and I like the way he shoots the ball and passes the ball so well. It goes to show you how smart he is on the floor and can play the game.” RYAN PEARSON SCHOOL: Van Buren CLASS: Senior HEIGHT: 5-8 POSITION: Point guard THE SKINNY: Pearson was an allconference selection last season and is a three-year starter for the Pointers. What makes him so special is his tenacity and work ethic, which causes his teammates to keep up with the pace or get left behind. Beyond his statistics - 12.6 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals per game - his leadership is one of the reasons Van Buren enjoys a 9-1 record so far this season.

SCOUTING REPORT: “I think of him as a leader who generally does what it takes for the team to win. He has a great spot-up jumper and does a great job of running the team like a point guard should. If you allow him to do those things, you’re in trouble.” MITCHELL SMITH SCHOOL: Van Buren CLASS: Sophomore HEIGHT: 6-9 POSITION: Post THE SKINNY: Smith gained valuable game experience as a freshman, when he had to go against guys that were close to his size, but more experienced. Because of it, he’s become more physical in the paint, where he averages 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game for the Pointers this season.

He also has added offensive skills, as evidence of him averaging three assists per game this season.

SCOUTING REPORT: “He’s a big kid that has got better from last year. He’s become stronger over the summer and does a good job shooting the mid-range jumpers.

He also has good footwork, which makes him difficult to defend, and he causes problems because of his length.” * Scouting Report provided by opposing coaches.

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH D.J. EVANS SCHOOL: Springdale High CLASS: Senior HEIGHT: 6-2 POSITION: Guard THE SKINNY: He has made the most of making a strong comeback after missing all of last season. He loves to slash to the basket and does it enough to average 12 points per game this season. He has already drawn the attention of Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, one of the top junior college basketball programs nationwide.

SCOUTING REPORT: “He’s very athletic, and I see he likes to go off the bounce and get to the rim. He’s a big-time athlete and a matchup problem for most teams because of how well he gets to the rim. It’s hard to stop him off the bounce.” MALIK MONK SCHOOL: Bentonville CLASS: Sophomore HEIGHT: 6-4 POSITION: Shooting guard THE SKINNY: His move to Bentonville from East Poinsett County, where he helped the Warriors reach the Class 2A State Championship last season, brought him attention before he played his first game with the Tigers. Monk hasn’t disappointed, averaging 23.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, with a season-high 30 points against unbeaten Weston (Fla.) Sagemont at the Neosho (Mo.) Holiday Classic. He has the range and accuracy to hit the 3-point shot from any angle, but his leaping ability has left crowds in awe with some of his dunks.

SCOUTING REPORT: “He’s very versatile and a great athlete, with most of that being God-given talent. You just have to pick your poison with him, and most teams will make him try to take jumpers because their players can’t jump with him when he’s near the rim.

’m sure he’s going to see a lot of unique defenses to try to stop him.” JP BRANDON SCHOOL: Springdale Har-Ber CLASS: Sophomore HEIGHT: 6-5 POSITION: Forward THE SKINNY: Brandon represents the future for Har-Ber, which is starting over with a new coach this season. … Averages eight points per game and had 14 in a victory over Pea Ridge. … Selected to the all-tournament team at Holiday Hoops Classic in Wynne. … Also a promising baseball player.

SCOUTING REPORT: “JP brings a lot of toughness and athleticism to our team. He’s not afraid to mix it up and that’s unusual for someone so young in our league.” PAYTON WILLIS SCHOOL: Fayetteville CLASS: Sophomore HEIGHT: 6-1 POSITION: Guard THE SKINNY: Averages team-best 14.8 points per game and teamhigh 42.9 percent from 3-point range. … Shooting 59 percent overall on field goals and also leads team in assists.

SCOUTING REPORT: “Payton is definitely what makes us go offensively, because he’s so unselfish. He’s capable of scoring, but for the most part he’d rather pass than shoot.” AVERY BENSON SCHOOL: Siloam Springs CLASS: Freshman HEIGHT: 6-2 POSITION: Point Guard THE SKINNY: Averaging 10 points per game. .. One of only freshmen expected to play 7A/6A-West Conference this season. … Could be Panthers’ top player.

SCOUTING REPORT: “Avery Benson, he’s one of those kids that, he’s a freshman, but he’s played a lot of basketball. The main thing that Avery does, he’s competitive. When the lights come on, he loves to compete.

We know that each game he’s going to keep getting better and better.” Scouting Report provided by players’ coach.

Sports, Pages 9 on 01/05/2014