SPRINGDALE -- Springdale High's basketball players and coaches gathered at midfield on the Bulldog Stadium turf and unveiled their state runner-up banner during halftime of an October football game.
Only a few of the players on the field that night were varsity contributors for the Bulldogs in their run to the 7A state title game last spring. Springdale only returns three of their top eight players, thanks to the graduation of three senior starters and the transfers of all-state point guard Tereke Eckwood (Springdale Har-Ber) and forward Drake Wymer (Fayetteville).
Springdale High Bulldogs Schedule
Date^Opponent^Time
Nov. 18^Shiloh Christian^ 6 p.m.
Nov. 22^at Mountain Home^5:30 p.m.
Nov. 25^at Russellville^7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4-6^Fayetteville Tournament^TBA
Dec. 11-13^Blue Springs (Mo.) Tournament^TBA
Dec. 19^at Alma^7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20^Jonesboro (Arkansas Baptist)^2 p.m.
Jan. 6^at Siloam Springs^7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9^Rogers Heritage*^7:30 p.m.
Jan. 13^at Springdale Har-Ber*^7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16^at Fayetteville*^7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20^Bentonville*^7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23^at Fort Smith Northside*^7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27^Fort Smith Southside*^7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30^at Rogers High*^7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6^at Rogers Heritage*^7:30 p.m.
Feb. 10^Springdale Har-Ber*^7:30 p.m.
Feb. 13^Fayetteville*^7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17^at Bentonville*^7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20^Fort Smith Northside*^7:30 p.m.
Feb. 24^at Fort Smith Southside*^7:30 p.m.
Feb. 27^Rogers High*^7:30 p.m.
- — 7A-West game
Springdale still has talent. Chris Owens is one of the top players in the state and fellow senior guards TreShawn Gause and Tyler Tutt should flourish in expanded roles this year.
But there isn't much certainty elsewhere. There are no other guards with varsity experience and their returning post players scored a combined 10 points in mop-up duty last season.
That inexperience and youth could lead to early season growing pains during a challenging nonconference schedule that includes two tournaments with top-tier talent and a matchup with defending 6A state champion Jonesboro.
"The adversity that we see or face early, if we handle it and grow together the right way, will really benefit down the stretch and make us stronger," Springdale coach Brad Stamps said. "And that's what I'm anxious to see. Putting those puzzle pieces together, that's the exciting, fun part for me."
The senior trio of Owens, Gause and Tutt will be key. Each has been in the program for multiple years and made big plays in important games.
"There's a lot on their shoulders this year," Stamps said. "We've spent lots of time talking about that."
Owens picked up multiple offers and Division I interest after averaging a team-high 12.6 points per game last year, including nearly 16 per game in the final 12 games. He expanded his game playing AAU basketball for the Arkansas Wings Elite in the summer, improving a skillset that should allow him to play a point forward role as he asserts himself more as a leader.
"Last year I didn't have to be a vocal leader, I just showed up and did what I had to do cause we had good leaders," Owens said. "So this year I think I have to be more of a vocal leader and just lead by example with the guys we have now."
Gause and Tutt will also be leaned on for leadership this year after averaging 4.9 and 3.0 points per game last year, respectively. Gause spent time this fall working with a trainer on basketball and cardio, incorporating boxing into his training regimen as he prepares for a big bump in minutes as the primary ballhandler. His emergence will be key as he transitions from sixth-man defensive spark plug to starting point guard, a role that has required him to expand his game as he prepares to lead a young roster.
"Talking more and becoming more of a playmaker," Gause said of areas he's improved. "Just controlling the team. ... Just got to be patient with (younger players). Talk to them about what they're going to face and if things go bad, how should you react to it. Just being a leader on and off the court."
The trio is locked into starting roles, while senior forwards Zach Burton and Nathan Keeling, junior guard Jefferson Gideon and junior forward Kyler Mahar will compete for the other two spots and round out the short rotation. Owens will play power forward at times in small-ball lineups as the height-challenged Bulldogs look to create mismatches.
"Teams in our league, are they going to put a small one on him, a big on him," Stamps said. "We can do several things with him to try to exploit his matchup."
The Bulldogs open the season 6 p.m. Tuesday at home against Shiloh Christian.
Sports on 11/16/2014