Basketball: Har-Ber's Zane King reveling in senior-year success

Tony Casey (32) of Rogers and Zane King of Springdale Har-Ber jump for a rebound on Friday Jan. 6, 2017 during the game at King Arena in Rogers.
Tony Casey (32) of Rogers and Zane King of Springdale Har-Ber jump for a rebound on Friday Jan. 6, 2017 during the game at King Arena in Rogers.

SPRINGDALE -- Zane King was always the tallest player on the court.

Playing Upward and pee-wee basketball growing up, he had essentially one job -- block shots. Block every shot.

At A Glance

Zane King

SCHOOL Springdale Har-Ber

CLASS Senior

HEIGHT 6-6

POSITION Forward

NOTABLE Averages 8.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 7A-West play for the 19-6 Wildcats. King has scored at least eight points in six of Har-Ber’s last seven games. … Began playing basketball in second grade with Upward. … Tied his season-high with 4 blocks against Bentonville West Tuesday night in a 72-49 win. … Was a freshman during coach Scott Bowlin’s first year at Har-Ber. … Holds scholarship offers from Arkansas Tech and NorthArk.

On The Web

For more on this story, see the video at arpreps.com and nwadg.com.

He wasn't a scoring option, but he served and strived as a rim protector at a young age. He didn't score until sixth grade, and didn't take a jumpshot in a game until a year before his high school career began, he said. King recalls a practice in eighth grade that encapsulated his childhood as a basketball player.

"I remember before a practice my coach saw me shoot a 3-pointer," the now 6-foot-6 senior said. "He made me run a line drill for it."

In stepped coach Scott Bowlin, who arrived at Springdale Har-Ber in time for King's freshman season. Confusion soon rushed over King as Bowlin urged the freshman to become more of an offensive player. Now a senior, King is averaging 8.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in 7A-West play for the 19-6 and league-leading Wildcats.

King still acts as the rim protector for Har-Ber, something Bowlin says he's never had, but he's an option offensively, too. He scored a conference-best 16 points in a home win against Rogers Heritage, complete with three dunks.

The win over the War Eagles was King's third consecutive game in double figures. He's scored at least eight points in six of Har-Ber's last seven games, helping the Wildcats grab sole possession of first place in the 7A-West at 10-1.

Har-Ber is one of just two class 7A schools (North Little Rock has 20) with 19 or more wins this season, but the enjoyment King is living now hasn't been a staple throughout high school.

"My freshman year was really rough," King said. "All we did in practice was run. It was like cross country practice in here every day. Coach (Bowlin) was trying to prove a point because some of the guys were pretty rowdy and didn't really trust him."

His sophomore season was tough as well as Har-Ber saw a bit more success but again did not meet lofty expectations. Last season, Har-Ber fell apart in the back half of conference play and lost to West Memphis in the first round of the state tournament. Chemistry has been the biggest difference with this Har-Ber team compared to seasons past, he said.

"Last year we kind of had groups in the locker room," said King, who tied a season-high with four blocks in Tuesday's win against Bentonville West. "We're playing like a team now. That's all we needed to do, but it's never happened until this year."

There are defining moments within a season when coaches see their team change for better or worse. That moment for Bowlin came Feb. 7 at Springdale High, a game Har-Ber rallied late to win behind sophomore Tylor Perry's 19 points and King's near double-double.

The basketball loose on the floor and Har-Ber trailing in the second half, King watched it roll. Perry took exception and had words with King. In previous years, Bowlin said, such an exchange would have sunk the team in a crucial moment.

"TP, I got you," said King, who later sealed the win with a block.

"I knew right then we're not the same team we were last year or even a month ago," Bowlin said. "When that senior has enough respect for that sophomore -- and vice versa -- I knew it was different."

Har-Ber travels to Fayetteville tonight to cap the week looking for its 20th win and 11th in conference play. A win would move the Wildcats a step closer to the school's first league title since 2006-07.

"We haven't won one since Michael Sanchez," King said. "Har-Ber basketball hasn't been good for a while, so no one expected us to win the conference. So if we do it'd be awesome for the school."

King has seen the worst of Har-Ber basketball and is reveling in the good as a senior. By season's end, Bowlin hopes King can look back and say it all came full circle.

"I've seen a ton of growth," Bowlin said. "It pleases me to see him go out on a team like we have. The great thing is these guys don't want it to end. And that's so important."

Sports on 02/17/2017

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